British MP Suspended Over Attack on Blair, Bush: GALLOWAY GETS THE BOOT

Reuters ^ | British MP Suspended Over Attack on Blair, Bush

[Cinnamon Girl]

suspended leading anti-war politician George Galloway on Tuesday over an outspoken attack on Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush during the war on Iraq.

The left-wing firebrand called the two leaders "wolves" for attacking Iraq, in an appearance on a Gulf television station during the military campaign.

"He is suspended from holding office or representing the party pending the outcome of internal party investigations," a Labour Party statement said, adding that party General-Secretary David Triesman had written to inform him.

"This suspension is effective forthwith," it said.

Galloway said the action made a mockery of the assertion from London and Washington that the war was fought in the name of freedom and democracy and said he stood by his words.

He has been dubbed "MP for Baghdad Central" in the British press for his long-term opposition to military action and sanctions against Iraq.

Galloway has also threatened to sue the Daily Telegraph for libel over a report that claimed he had received $604,000 a year in payoffs from the Iraqi government.

Parliament's Standards Commissioner is to hold a separate inquiry into allegations against him.

Labour said it had received a complaint that Galloway had acted in a way that was "prejudicial or grossly detrimental to the party."

"In particular, complaints have been received about an interview Mr. Galloway did on March 28, 2003, on Abu Dhabi TV," it said.

Galloway responded swiftly, saying the probe was designed to prejudice his libel legal action.

"It has really come to something when you can be effectively silenced in the British parliament for words that you've spoken for ideas that you have," he told BBC Radio.

"It makes a bit of a mockery of the idea that we went to war in Iraq for free speech and democracy," he said. "I stand by every word I said on the Abu Dhabi Television interview. I believe that the war was illegal and immoral."

[Cinnamon Girl]

Crybaby.

Actor John Malkovich once made some threatening comments about Galloway: 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". (from the BBC)

[Cinnamon Girl]

[Guillermo]

Yeah but he does it For the Children.

Cut the guy some slack.

[Bahbah]

I think this Reuters headline may be a bit off. I have read in another thread that he is being investigated for tax evasion, not for any political attacks.

[wideawake]

Ah, the old Timmy Sarandon ploy: "The Labour Party won't give me a free platform for my bile anymore, therefore they are hyposrites who oppose freedom!"

[alnitak]

Nope, it's right. He is being suspended *expressly* for his "wolves" comments about Iraq (Abu Dhabi TV, IIRC). The charge is "Bringing the party into disrepute".

They are leaving the libel matter to the courts. I would hope that Tony Blair has had a word with MI5/MI6 though. Something along the lines of "Why the f*ck didn't you tell me about this".

[Sloth]

He probably did evade taxes on his Iraqi bribe money.

[MEG33]

Me,too.Perhaps this is in addition to the other.

[MJY1288]

I love the way Rueters titles this. His suspesion has absolutely nothing to do with his stand against the war. It's all about his association with Saddam

[EllaMinnow]

YES!!!!!!!

[Political Junkie Too]

Deny, deny, deny. I guess he'll just have to win.

-PJ

[capitan_refugio]

It is going to take a while to get word to Galloway that he has been suspended from the Parliament. He is vacationing at his resort mansion in Portugal. And how could you possibly suggest he evaded taxes on bribe money?!

[MEG33]

Oh Happy Day!

[katana]

When reading Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs, I always pictured Malkovich in the role of Dr. Lecter. Maybe he could invite Galloway over for dinner some time.

[Maigret]

Wonder if Diane Sawyers is still 'impressed' by him?

[ClancyJ]

Reuters certainly falls far short in their news reporting. How many times do we have to correct what they report with the truth.

[canuck_conservative]

He took money from a declared enemy of the UK during a time of conflict.

Me thinks this traitor should be up on trial for sedition, next.

[lilylangtree]

About time the Brits did something. This man appears to be a security risk big time.

[wardaddy]

Tyburn Tree is calling....I wish.

[Mr.Clark]

He was scary enough for me as the Assassin, Leary, in In the Line of Fire. That was such a good performance, Malkovich is the man!