George Galloway Detained at Gatwick Airport Under Terrorism Act
London – Firebrand politician George Galloway was detained by counter-terrorism police at Gatwick Airport on Saturday upon his return from Russia, a move his party has decried as, “politically motivated intimidation”.
The Workers Party of Britain, which Mr. Galloway leads, confirmed that the 71-year-old former MP and his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, were stopped by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command after their flight landed from Abu Dhabi.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s had been temporarily detained under the Terrorism Act. They were later allowed to continue their journey, and no charges have been announced.
The incident immediately sparked a furious reaction from Mr. Galloway’s party. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Workers Party claimed their leader had been targeted and that repeated calls for updates on his welfare and rights had gone unanswered. The party called the action, “politically motivated intimidation”, and urged supporters to contact authorities to demand his, “immediate release”.
The detention is the latest chapter in a long and often controversial political career. Mr. Galloway surged back into the national spotlight last year after winning the Rochdale by-election for the Workers Party, a seat he held until stepping down in May 2024 at the dissolution of Parliament.
A veteran politician previously elected for both the Labour and Respect parties, Mr. Galloway has long been a polarising figure, known for his vocal pro-Palestinian campaigning, a historic meeting with Saddam Hussein, and facing accusations of antisemitism and sexism from fellow MPs.
His activities have attracted renewed attention in recent months. Earlier this year, he travelled to Moscow to attend Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day parade, an event he described on social media as, “moving, emotional, inspiring, humbling”. He also recently accepted an award in Iran named after a Hamas leader.
Last year, his Rochdale by-election campaign funding came under scrutiny when it was revealed that Tristan Tate, brother of the controversial influencer Andrew Tate, had donated £5,000 to his campaign.
While known for his fiery political rhetoric, many also remember Mr. Galloway for his infamous 2006 appearance on the reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother, during which he mimed being a cat licking milk from a saucer.
Mr. Galloway has not yet commented publicly on his detention. The Metropolitan Police said it would not comment further while checks related to the stop under the Terrorism Act were ongoing.
The Workers Party of Britain, which Mr. Galloway leads, confirmed that the 71-year-old former MP and his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, were stopped by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command after their flight landed from Abu Dhabi.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s had been temporarily detained under the Terrorism Act. They were later allowed to continue their journey, and no charges have been announced.
The incident immediately sparked a furious reaction from Mr. Galloway’s party. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Workers Party claimed their leader had been targeted and that repeated calls for updates on his welfare and rights had gone unanswered. The party called the action, “politically motivated intimidation”, and urged supporters to contact authorities to demand his, “immediate release”.
The detention is the latest chapter in a long and often controversial political career. Mr. Galloway surged back into the national spotlight last year after winning the Rochdale by-election for the Workers Party, a seat he held until stepping down in May 2024 at the dissolution of Parliament.
A veteran politician previously elected for both the Labour and Respect parties, Mr. Galloway has long been a polarising figure, known for his vocal pro-Palestinian campaigning, a historic meeting with Saddam Hussein, and facing accusations of antisemitism and sexism from fellow MPs.
His activities have attracted renewed attention in recent months. Earlier this year, he travelled to Moscow to attend Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day parade, an event he described on social media as, “moving, emotional, inspiring, humbling”. He also recently accepted an award in Iran named after a Hamas leader.
Last year, his Rochdale by-election campaign funding came under scrutiny when it was revealed that Tristan Tate, brother of the controversial influencer Andrew Tate, had donated £5,000 to his campaign.
While known for his fiery political rhetoric, many also remember Mr. Galloway for his infamous 2006 appearance on the reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother, during which he mimed being a cat licking milk from a saucer.
Mr. Galloway has not yet commented publicly on his detention. The Metropolitan Police said it would not comment further while checks related to the stop under the Terrorism Act were ongoing.
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