[R-G] MP Galloway is banned from Canada
Anthony Fenton
fentona at shaw.ca
Fri Mar 20 10:23:39 MDT 2009
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".
More information about the Rad-Green
mailing list