02/12/2004

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.

Mr Justice Eady said he was "obliged to compensate Mr Galloway in respect of the publications and the aggravated features of the defendants' subsequent conduct, and to make an award for the purposes of restoring his reputation".

After David Blair, the Telegraph's foreign correspondent found documents inside the Iraqi ministry at Baghdad, the newspaper claimed it felt it was in the public's best interests to publish details of Mr Galloway's suspected links with Saddam Hussein's government.

Today's victory for Mr Galloway was preceded by a similar win in March of this year when he received "substantial" damages and a public apology over an article in a US newspaper, the Christian Science Monitor, which alleged connections between the MP and Saddam Hussein.

It was forced to admit that documents used as evidence for the story could not be deemed reliable.

(mmcg/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.
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.
05 June 2003
Saddam’s family will not be granted asylum
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson has said that Saddam Hussein’s family will not be allowed to claim asylum in Britain. Responding to media reports that Saddam Hussein’s two daughters and his wife may submit applications for asylum, the PMOS said that there was no question of them coming to Britain as their application would be rejected.
30 March 2012
George Galloway Wins Bradford West With Decisive Victory
Controversial MP George Galloway has won the Bradford West by-election, taking the seat from Labour polling more than 18,000 votes. Receiving 56% of the vote Galloway, expelled from Labour in 2003, said the win was the "most sensational victory" in by-election history.
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.