Menu
24/04/2003
More allegations as Galloway slams 'fantastic' lie
Further allegations about the alleged ties between Labour MP George Galloway and Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein have emerged today in the Daily Telegraph.
In this latest report, the newspaper claims that Saddam Hussein tried to protect the maverick Labour Parliamentarian by closing contacts between Mr Galloway and the Iraqi intelligence service. The newspaper also claims that Mr Galloway's contacts with the regime went right across the "pinnacle" of the Ba'ath Party.
However, George Galloway, writing in the Tribune newspaper today, has mounted a strong defence of his position and said that the information on which the newspaper has based its claims is "simply false".
Mr Galloway also accused the government of hypocrisy, writing that political funding is "seldom the prettiest of sights" as, he said, Tony Blair had suffered damaging revelations over "blind trusts" and Bertie Ecclestone's £1 million donation – the Prime Minister's backing of Lakshmi Mittal also earned the government some damaging headlines, he added.
Mr Galloway has become known for his strong views over Iraq and the Labour Party is undertaking internal disciplinary action against him over an interview he gave to an Arab-language television station. However, this week's Daily Telegraph has carried a number of unprecedented allegations against the MP.
The most serious of which is that Mr Galloway received hundreds of thousands of pounds from Iraq through the food for oil programme. The Glasgow Kelvin MP again rejected the allegation today describing it as a "lie of fantastic proportions".
The Daily Telegraph also claims that Iraqi money was siphoned off into the Mariam Appeal – a charity Mr Galloway set up in opposition to international embargos against Iraq. However, Mr Galloway today said that the majority of the money he received for that fund came mostly from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Mr Galloway stated once again that the most reasonable explanation for the existence of any documentation was simple forgery.
The Daily Telegraph says that its reporter discovered the documents in the bombed out Iraqi foreign ministry in Baghdad. The paper's editor, Charles Moore, has said that he stands by the story and the integrity of his reporter.
For his part, Mr Galloway has begun legal proceedings against the Daily Telegraph over the allegations.
(GMcG)
In this latest report, the newspaper claims that Saddam Hussein tried to protect the maverick Labour Parliamentarian by closing contacts between Mr Galloway and the Iraqi intelligence service. The newspaper also claims that Mr Galloway's contacts with the regime went right across the "pinnacle" of the Ba'ath Party.
However, George Galloway, writing in the Tribune newspaper today, has mounted a strong defence of his position and said that the information on which the newspaper has based its claims is "simply false".
Mr Galloway also accused the government of hypocrisy, writing that political funding is "seldom the prettiest of sights" as, he said, Tony Blair had suffered damaging revelations over "blind trusts" and Bertie Ecclestone's £1 million donation – the Prime Minister's backing of Lakshmi Mittal also earned the government some damaging headlines, he added.
Mr Galloway has become known for his strong views over Iraq and the Labour Party is undertaking internal disciplinary action against him over an interview he gave to an Arab-language television station. However, this week's Daily Telegraph has carried a number of unprecedented allegations against the MP.
The most serious of which is that Mr Galloway received hundreds of thousands of pounds from Iraq through the food for oil programme. The Glasgow Kelvin MP again rejected the allegation today describing it as a "lie of fantastic proportions".
The Daily Telegraph also claims that Iraqi money was siphoned off into the Mariam Appeal – a charity Mr Galloway set up in opposition to international embargos against Iraq. However, Mr Galloway today said that the majority of the money he received for that fund came mostly from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Mr Galloway stated once again that the most reasonable explanation for the existence of any documentation was simple forgery.
The Daily Telegraph says that its reporter discovered the documents in the bombed out Iraqi foreign ministry in Baghdad. The paper's editor, Charles Moore, has said that he stands by the story and the integrity of his reporter.
For his part, Mr Galloway has begun legal proceedings against the Daily Telegraph over the allegations.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 April 2003
Labour MP denies Iraq pay claims
Labour MP George Galloway has fiercely denied allegations carried in the Daily Telegraph this week in which it is claimed that he received hundreds of thousands of pounds from Saddam Hussein's regime.
Labour MP denies Iraq pay claims
Labour MP George Galloway has fiercely denied allegations carried in the Daily Telegraph this week in which it is claimed that he received hundreds of thousands of pounds from Saddam Hussein's regime.
02 December 2004
Galloway clears his name and wins libel case
MP George Galloway has won a libel battle and damages totalling £150,000 against the Daily Telegraph over claims he accepted money from Saddam Husseins's government. The case followed publication of the allegations in the paper in April 2003, which the Scottish MP fiercely denied, saying that he was a well known opponent of the Iraqi regime.
Galloway clears his name and wins libel case
MP George Galloway has won a libel battle and damages totalling £150,000 against the Daily Telegraph over claims he accepted money from Saddam Husseins's government. The case followed publication of the allegations in the paper in April 2003, which the Scottish MP fiercely denied, saying that he was a well known opponent of the Iraqi regime.
01 June 2009
Chancellor To Repay Service Charge Expenses
Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced he will repay part of a parliamentary expenses claim on his London flat.
Chancellor To Repay Service Charge Expenses
Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced he will repay part of a parliamentary expenses claim on his London flat.
25 January 2006
Newspaper loses Galloway libel appeal
The Daily Telegraph has lost its appeal against a £150,000 libel award against MP George Galloway. Mr Galloway, who is currently a contestant in the Celebrity Big Brother house, successfully sued the paper in 2004, over allegations that he had received money from Saddam Hussein's regime in the 'Oil-for-Food' scandal in Iraq.
Newspaper loses Galloway libel appeal
The Daily Telegraph has lost its appeal against a £150,000 libel award against MP George Galloway. Mr Galloway, who is currently a contestant in the Celebrity Big Brother house, successfully sued the paper in 2004, over allegations that he had received money from Saddam Hussein's regime in the 'Oil-for-Food' scandal in Iraq.
07 March 2007
Kidnapped journalist is Italian reporter
The journalist kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan on Tuesday is veteran Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo. Mastrogiacomo, 52, worked for the Rome-based daily newspaper La Repubblica. He was abducted along with two Afghan guides who have been named as Ajmal and Syed Agha.
Kidnapped journalist is Italian reporter
The journalist kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan on Tuesday is veteran Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo. Mastrogiacomo, 52, worked for the Rome-based daily newspaper La Repubblica. He was abducted along with two Afghan guides who have been named as Ajmal and Syed Agha.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
