Thursday October 23, 2003
Maverick MP George Galloway, an outspoken critic of Tony Blair’s stance on Iraq, has been expelled from ruling Britain’s Labour Party. Speaking after the expulsion was announced in London, Galloway said is was "written in advance in the best traditions of political show trials".
"Mr Blair's response to the mistake of the war”, he continued, “is to attack those who stood against the war and root them out of British politics."
Mr Galloway faced five charges including: that he incited Arabs to attack British troops, that he urged British troops to defy orders, that he called on people in Plymouth not to support Labour candidates if they backed the war, that he congratulated a Socialist Alliance anti-war candidate who defeated Labour in Preston and that he threatened to stand against Labour himself.
He was found guilty of all the charges, except the Plymouth speech.
Despite this Galloway remained defiant and pledged to continue in politics.
“Inside or outside the Labour Party, inside or outside Parliament we will continue to hold him to account for a crime, a war crime and a blunder of extraordinary magnitude.”
"The Labour Party will rue the day they took this step” he said, describing it as "kangaroo court" which was rigged in advance and a "travesty of justice".
Far from being bowed by the ruling, Galloway seemd set for a fight.
"With every bone in my body," he told the BBC, "I will fight to hold to account, a lying, dishonest Prime Minister."
Last updated 26/10/2003
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