Galloway to learn his fate

Wednesday, 22 October 2003 5:38 AM

The suspended rebel Labour MP George Galloway is to appear before the National Constitutional Committee today, where he will defend his comments about Britain's support for the US-led Iraq war.

Party officials suspended the Glasgow Kelvin MP six months ago after he appeared on television attacking Tony Blair and US President George W Bush for acting "like wolves" by invading Iraq.

The NCC has the power to expel Mr Galloway from the party.

Under rule 2a.8, Mr Galloway faces five charges of bringing the Labour Party into disrepute for his interview with Abu Dhabi TV on 28 March.

He is charged with inciting Arabs to fight British troops; encouraging British troops to disobey orders; inciting Plymouth voters to reject Labour MPs; threatening to stand as an independent against his party and supporting an anti-war candidate in Preston.

Mr Galloway refuses to apologise for his remarks.

"Every comment that I have made before, during and since the war, I stand by.

"I'm apologising for nothing," he said.

He will call senior Labour figures Tony Benn and Michael Foot as character witnesses.

Mr Galloway may quit his seat if he is expelled, in order to force a by-election in which he could stand against Labour as an independent.

Or he could continue to take his seat in the Commons until the next election and his salary and pension entitlements would not be affected.

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