Menu
25/01/2006
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.
The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling today. If it had been overturned, the Respect MP would have faced a legal bill of around £2 million - an amount, which he admitted, would have left him bankrupt.
The Telegraph's story was based on documents discovered by David Blair, the paper's correspondent in Baghdad, in the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
However, the Court of Appeal judges said that the Telegraph had not tried to justify that the documents were true, only that publishing them was in the public interest.
Mr Galloway, 51, who was expelled from the Labour party because of his opposition to the war in Iraq, stood as an independent candidate in the last election and won the Parliamentary seat of Bethnal Green from Labour's Oona King.
He has always denied receiving any money from Saddam Hussein's government and defended himself against the allegations at a US Senate hearing last year.
The editor of the Daily Telegraph, Neil Darbyshire, said that the paper was "naturally disappointed" by the ruling and would study the details before seeking permission to appeal to the House of Lords.
Mr Galloway looks set to face even more controversy in the coming weeks. He has already faced stiff criticism for his decision to enter as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother. He has appeared in the show, mimicking a cat with actress Rula Lenska and wearing a red leotard.
On Wednesday, 'The Sun' published stills from video footage, showing Mr Galloway's meeting with Saddam Hussein's son Uday, who was killed in a gun battle with US troops, along with his brother Qusay, in Iraq in 2003.
Mr Galloway is the bookmakers' favourite to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house tonight.
(KMcA/SP)
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.
The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling today. If it had been overturned, the Respect MP would have faced a legal bill of around £2 million - an amount, which he admitted, would have left him bankrupt.
The Telegraph's story was based on documents discovered by David Blair, the paper's correspondent in Baghdad, in the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
However, the Court of Appeal judges said that the Telegraph had not tried to justify that the documents were true, only that publishing them was in the public interest.
Mr Galloway, 51, who was expelled from the Labour party because of his opposition to the war in Iraq, stood as an independent candidate in the last election and won the Parliamentary seat of Bethnal Green from Labour's Oona King.
He has always denied receiving any money from Saddam Hussein's government and defended himself against the allegations at a US Senate hearing last year.
The editor of the Daily Telegraph, Neil Darbyshire, said that the paper was "naturally disappointed" by the ruling and would study the details before seeking permission to appeal to the House of Lords.
Mr Galloway looks set to face even more controversy in the coming weeks. He has already faced stiff criticism for his decision to enter as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother. He has appeared in the show, mimicking a cat with actress Rula Lenska and wearing a red leotard.
On Wednesday, 'The Sun' published stills from video footage, showing Mr Galloway's meeting with Saddam Hussein's son Uday, who was killed in a gun battle with US troops, along with his brother Qusay, in Iraq in 2003.
Mr Galloway is the bookmakers' favourite to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house tonight.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 April 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.
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.
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.
26 January 2006
Galloway evicted from Big Brother house
Respect MP George Galloway has been evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house to face a barrage of criticism. The Bethnal Green and Bow MP has been widely criticised for his decision to appear on the show, with many political opponents saying that he should have been representing his constituents.
Galloway evicted from Big Brother house
Respect MP George Galloway has been evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house to face a barrage of criticism. The Bethnal Green and Bow MP has been widely criticised for his decision to appear on the show, with many political opponents saying that he should have been representing his constituents.
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.
25 April 2003
Probe into Galloway's charity launched
The Charity Commission has announced that it is to investigate a complaint relating to the charity created by under-fire Labour MP George Galloway. The commission said that the probe centred around a complaint that the Mariam Appeal may have used charitable funds for non-charitable purposes.
Probe into Galloway's charity launched
The Charity Commission has announced that it is to investigate a complaint relating to the charity created by under-fire Labour MP George Galloway. The commission said that the probe centred around a complaint that the Mariam Appeal may have used charitable funds for non-charitable purposes.
-
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.
