Guardian: Met inquiry into Galloway recommended

[Eugene]

Met inquiry into Galloway recommended

David Leigh and Rob Evans
Wednesday February 14, 2007
The Guardian

Allegations that George Galloway may have broken UN sanctions by receiving oil money
from Saddam Hussein have been sent to Scotland Yard by the Serious Fraud Office.
The office has recommended that police open an investigation, and talks are currently
taking place with the Crown Prosecution Service.

After deliberating for a year, the SFO has decided that the Respect MP for Bethnal
Green and Bow, who has denied any impropriety, will not be investigated on separate
offence of corruption.

To prosecute for sanctions-busting, the police would have to find evidence that Mr
Galloway knew that money earned from oil sales was being diverted to pay for his
political campaigning. Under the UN sanctions, oil sales were only permitted for
approved humanitarian purposes.

Scotland Yard said yesterday: "The Metropolitan police is in discussions with the
Crown Prosecution Service and is seeking its advice. We are considering a request
to investigate the matter. We are not investigating at this time." A spokesman for
Mr Galloway dismissed the move. "This story is so old, so hoary, so repetitive that
it could be on the TV programme Life on Mars. George has been exonerated repeatedly.
The SFO must have handed a blank sheet of paper to Scotland Yard. It is a waste of
public servants' time."

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/oil/story/0,,2012540,00.html

Related: Firms accused of bribing Saddam to be investigated by fraud office - The Guardian

[Sadie5]

1. What they really need to do

is check into the Poodle and * dealings with Saddam and the profiteering on the Iraq war.

[CJCRANE]

2. Dragging Galloway though the mud again...?

Yawn.

[Kagemusha]

3. If all they know after a year is "may" this and "may" that

why are we still talking about this?

[Jim Sagle]

4. Galloway ain't nuthin' but shit. Throw 'im in jail.

[Nihil]

5. I know your country is different but here we require evidence ...

:hi:

[LeftishBrit]

6. I'm not a great Galloway fan, but suspect that this may be a form of 'swiftboating'

Let's see what the evidence turns up.

And in any case, why aren't all the people who sold Saddam weapons in the 80s also on trial?