[R-G] MP Galloway is banned from Canada

[Anthony Fenton]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7954923.stm


MP Galloway is banned from Canada
George Galloway
Mr Galloway's comments on Iraq led to his expulsion from the Labour  
Party

George Galloway, a British member of Parliament, has been banned from  
Canada on security grounds, the country's immigration service has  
confirmed.

A spokesman for Mr Galloway, a Respect Party MP, says he will use "all  
means at our disposal" to fight the ban.

British media reported the decision was due to his views on  
Afghanistan and the presence of Canadian troops there.

The anti-war MP was expelled from the Labour Party in 2003 because of  
his outspoken comments on the Iraq war.

Mr Galloway's spokesman said they were trying to clarify the situation  
and were awaiting "formal contact" from the Canadian authorities.

But he added: "We will resist it vigorously by all means at our  
disposal because this is refusing access to an elected politician on  
the grounds of their views."

'Mock trial'

A spokesman for Citizenship and Immigration Canada confirmed the MP  
would not be allowed into the country on national security grounds.

He said the decision had been taken by border security officials  
"based on a number of factors" in accordance with the country's  
immigration act.

Mr Galloway had been due to speak at a public forum, Resisting War  
from Gaza to Kandahar, in Toronto on 30 March.

In 2006 he was detained "on grounds of national security" at Cairo  
airport after heading to Egypt to attend a "mock trial" of then PM  
Tony Blair and then US President George Bush.

Mr Galloway became the figurehead for the anti-war Respect party after  
being expelled from Labour.

His expulsion followed comments on the Iraq war which Labour chairman  
Ian McCartney said "incited foreign forces to rise up against British  
troops".

The party acted following a number of TV interviews, including one in  
which Mr Galloway accused Tony Blair and President Bush of acting  
"like wolves" in invading Iraq.

Mr Galloway said it had been a "politically motivated kangaroo court".