MP stunned at actor's outburst (Flashback re George Galloway and Fisk)

BBC ^ | May 4, 2002 | The Beeb

[fightinJAG]

Saturday, 4 May, 2002, 08:21 GMT 09:21 UK MP stunned at actor's outburst

A Scottish Labour MP is taking legal advice after the Hollywood star John Malkovich allegedly said he would like to shoot the politician. Malkovich is reported to have said that the Glasgow Kelvin MP, George Galloway, was one of two people he would most like to kill.

The source of Malkovich's anger appears to be Mr Galloway's condemnation of Israel's action against Palestinians and his criticism of the west's policies on Iraq.

The actor was addressing students at the Cambridge union debating society when he was asked who he would most like to "fight to the death".

His comments are especially dangerous because in a couple of days' time, I will be in the Palestinian Authority visiting President Arafat and there are a lot of bullets flying around there

George Galloway MP

Malkovich, star of movies including Dangerous Liaisons and the Killing Fields, replied: "I'd rather just shoot them."

He named Mr Galloway and The Independent newspaper's Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk.

Union spokesman Julian Blake said: "He had been speaking to the union president before the event and he mentioned then that he read the British press and had been following George Galloway's comments.

"People were fairly surprised when he brought him up though."

'Terrorism climate'

The actor did not explain exactly why he disliked Mr Galloway. He said only that Mr Galloway did not tell the truth.

Mr Galloway said he was astonished that the actor should have such animosity against him.

The MP said he assumed that his outspoken criticism of American policy in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iraq was behind the outburst.

"In the current climate of terrorism and violence and so on, if it was a joke it is not very funny and if it wasn't a joke, he will be hearing from my lawyers," he added.

"We can have a high noon at the Old Bailey if he likes.

'Very strange man'

"His comments are especially dangerous because in a couple of days' time, I will be in the Palestinian Authority visiting President Arafat and there are a lot of bullets flying around there."

Malkovich is in the UK filming Johnny English with Rowan Atkinson and Natalie Imbruglia.

Mr Galloway asked: "Who can get inside the head of John Malkovich, a very strange man offering a dangerous liaison - indeed, offering a killing field?"

Last month, Mr Galloway renewed his call for people in Scotland to boycott goods from Israel in response to violence in the Middle East.

[fightinJAG]

The actor was addressing students at the Cambridge union debating society when he was asked who he would most like to "fight to the death".

As ever, the Beeb sensationalized a remark out of context. But one has to wonder what Malkovich might think of George Galloway now that it appears ole Georgie was on the take from Saddam's UN-oil-for-food scam.

[Sabatier]

Mr Galloway asked: "Who can get inside the head of John Malkovich, a very strange man offering a dangerous liaison - indeed, offering a killing field?"


Did this guy really say this? Kind of cutesy, stringing all those Malkovich movie titles together.

[per loin]

MSNBC is reporting that Galloway was on Saddam.s payroll. $580,000 a year according to the London Telegraph. He denies it.

[lawgirl]

How interesting that Malkovich is so informed about British politics. I have to admit I'd never heard of this dude before.

[fightinJAG]

I also have to admit I'd never heard of Galloway either---at least I had not paid attention to him.

I posted one of Galloway's interviews with Islamonline because I thought maybe a bunch of us needed a crash course on exactly what Galloway stands for.

He's horrible. I can see why he made even an actor so mad. (Although it's an open question of where Tim Robbins and Susan Sarawrap stand on Galloway. They probably think he's the cat's meow and worship the ground he walks on.)

[fightinJAG]

Rather SNL-like response, wouldn't you say?

[WaveThatFlag]

Malkovich Malkovich, Malcovich.

[Sonny M]

I've actually met John Malkovich and I will tell you, he is very strange and weird. I in all honestly always thought of him as a true blue liberal with some very bizzare manerisms. When I met him, we talked for a few minuits, he did everything possible to avoid eye contact, not just with me but with everyone, he talked how he would rather live in France then in America, and how france is a better place for anyone that would want to raise a family then america (this was way before the current conflict), and he rambled on about some other things including his craft. I honest to god think he is obsessive compulsive. I think this has more to do with something else other then mideast politics.

[cubreporter]

I can't picture him. Anyone have photos?

[csvset]

I'm not sure who you can't picture, so here's both of them.

John Malkovich

George Galloway

[AAABEST]

ping!

[TommyDale]

I keep reading the term "MP" with these British news items.
Can someone please post what that translates to in American?

[lilylangtree]

Never was a fan of John Malkovich. He was not the usual leading man type of figure. He struck me as being cold and calculating in all his roles even when trying to be romantic or flamboyant. However, his viewpoint in the last two days is starting to change my mind. All I can for John re George: Go, John, go!

[A Citizen Reporter]

MP=Member of Parliament

[katana]

Member of Parliament

[Sonny M]

He's been in numerious movies, "of mice and men", "being john malkovich", "in the line of fire" (with clint eastwood), "con air" (with john cusack and Nicholas cage), etc.

[cubreporter]

Oh, now I remember especiall from Conair. Thanks.

[cubreporter]

Thanks...it was the first one John M. Appreciate it.

[fightinJAG]

MP = Member of Parliament. Kinda like our Representative/Congressman title.

[TommyDale]

I was wondering why there were so many Military Police in the news...