Galloway grilled by police over ‘Israel-free zone’ speech

Respect MP George Galloway has been interviewed under caution by police after making a speech in which he announced Bradford was an “Israel-free zone”.

Speaking in Leeds earlier this month, the veteran of the Left stated Israelis were not welcome in the city where he has a constituency.

Once film of the speech was circulated online there was an outcry on social media, and West Yorkshire Police said it would investigate.

He has now been interviewed and the Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether any charges should follow.

The District Commander for Leeds, Chief Superintendent Paul Money, said: “A 59-year-old man has been interviewed under caution voluntarily following complaints made about the content of a speech given in Leeds earlier this month.

“Once enquiries are completed the matter will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for their consideration.”

In one part of his speech, Mr Galloway said as he stood in front of a Palestinian flag: “We have declared Bradford an Israel-free zone.

“We don’t want any Israeli goods. We don’t want any Israeli services.

“We don’t want any Israeli academics coming to the university or college.

“We don’t even want any Israeli tourists to come to Bradford even if any of them had thought of doing so.

“We reject this illegal, barbarous, savage state that calls itself Israel. And you have to do the same.”

Earlier this month David Ward, who is Lib Dem MP for Bradford East and also campaigns against the Israeli government’s policy on Gaza, distanced himself from Mr Galloway’s comments.

Mr Ward said: “It’s a schoolboy error from someone who really should know better.”