Labour attempt to defend expulsion of Galloway
Simon | 29.10.2003 18:39 | Anti-militarism
An e-mail from the Labour Party Communications Unit which explains why George Galloway was expelled from the party. Examine, dissect and make of it what you will... Personally I think it's a good thing for Galloway and a bad thing for the Labour party, and they should be expelling Blair for selling out to right-wing extremists but that's probably a different issue....
The issue surrounding George Galloway's expulsion is nothing to do with George's passionate opposition to the war. Over 130 of our MPs opposed or expressed doubts about the military action taken in Iraq, and they have the right to that view.
But George Galloway didn't simply oppose military action. What he did was unique. He went on international television to incite foreign forces to rise up against British troops who were risking their lives at a time of conflict. He was the only MP to do this.
It is simply not acceptable that a Labour Member of Parliament would incite others to attack the sons and daughters of British families in this way.
Following George Galloway's comments the party received an unprecedented number of complaints from party members and party supporters who were outraged at these comments and the party had no choice but to act on these complaints.
George Galloway was charged with five breaches of rule 2A.8 of our rulebook which states that, "No member of the party shall engage in conduct which in the opinion of the NCC is prejudicial, or in any act which in the opinion of the NCC is grossly detrimental to the party." He was not charged with his views on the war in Iraq, indeed the Prime Minister acknowledged in his Conference speech that the war had divided the Party and the Country and that over 130 MPs voted against the war in Iraq.
The case against George Galloway was heard by the NCC on October 22nd and October 23rd. The NCC is an independent body which considers party disciplinary matters. The NCC is completely independent of the NEC and the party leadership. It was established in 1986 to separate the prosecution and determination of a case. The NCC has their own independent legal advice, separate to the Labour Party's legal advice.
Every member of the NCC is elected with elections taking place at annual conference. Members of the NCC have to have been party members for a minimum of 5 years and Ministers, MPs, MEPs, NEC members and party staff are not allowed to be members of NCC.
There are in total 11 members of the NCC - 6 are drawn from trade unions, 4 from CLPs, 1 from the affiliated societies. The NCC then nominates three members of the committee to hear each case. The NCC hearing took two days and lasted fourteen hours. At the end of the hearing the Chair of the NCC panel announced:
"Following the case brought by the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to the National Constitutional Committee, and after a two day hearing, the unanimous decision of the panel of the NCC found four of the five charges brought against Mr Galloway proven, and the decision of the panel was that Mr Galloway be expelled from membership of the Labour Party forthwith."
· He was found guilty of inciting Arab armies to fight British Service men and women whilst they were engaged in conflict.
· He was found guilty of inciting British Service men and women to disobey orders whilst they were engaged in conflict.
· He was found guilty of threatening to stand as an independent candidate against the Labour Party
· He was found guilty of supporting a councillor from another party in Preston.
· He was acquitted of inciting voters in Plymouth to vote against their MPs
It is always sad when the Party has to take action against one of its members, but there are occasions when the behaviour of a member goes beyond that which is acceptable. This was one such occasion.
================== ends =====================
Some related links from the Beeb:
Galloway faces disciplinary hearing:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3212360.stm
Galloway expelled by Labour: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3205889.stm
Galloway expulsion 'will damage Labour': http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/scotland/3209617.stm
Galloway ponders next move: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/scotland/3213635.stm
Talking Point debate : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/talking_point/3208577.stm
Various UK ICM readers' views on the expulsion: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/10/279395.html
George Galloway is also addressing a public meeting this Thursday (30th) in Swindon. Details here: http://freespace.virgin.net/swindon.stopwar/events.htm
But George Galloway didn't simply oppose military action. What he did was unique. He went on international television to incite foreign forces to rise up against British troops who were risking their lives at a time of conflict. He was the only MP to do this.
It is simply not acceptable that a Labour Member of Parliament would incite others to attack the sons and daughters of British families in this way.
Following George Galloway's comments the party received an unprecedented number of complaints from party members and party supporters who were outraged at these comments and the party had no choice but to act on these complaints.
George Galloway was charged with five breaches of rule 2A.8 of our rulebook which states that, "No member of the party shall engage in conduct which in the opinion of the NCC is prejudicial, or in any act which in the opinion of the NCC is grossly detrimental to the party." He was not charged with his views on the war in Iraq, indeed the Prime Minister acknowledged in his Conference speech that the war had divided the Party and the Country and that over 130 MPs voted against the war in Iraq.
The case against George Galloway was heard by the NCC on October 22nd and October 23rd. The NCC is an independent body which considers party disciplinary matters. The NCC is completely independent of the NEC and the party leadership. It was established in 1986 to separate the prosecution and determination of a case. The NCC has their own independent legal advice, separate to the Labour Party's legal advice.
Every member of the NCC is elected with elections taking place at annual conference. Members of the NCC have to have been party members for a minimum of 5 years and Ministers, MPs, MEPs, NEC members and party staff are not allowed to be members of NCC.
There are in total 11 members of the NCC - 6 are drawn from trade unions, 4 from CLPs, 1 from the affiliated societies. The NCC then nominates three members of the committee to hear each case. The NCC hearing took two days and lasted fourteen hours. At the end of the hearing the Chair of the NCC panel announced:
"Following the case brought by the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to the National Constitutional Committee, and after a two day hearing, the unanimous decision of the panel of the NCC found four of the five charges brought against Mr Galloway proven, and the decision of the panel was that Mr Galloway be expelled from membership of the Labour Party forthwith."
· He was found guilty of inciting Arab armies to fight British Service men and women whilst they were engaged in conflict.
· He was found guilty of inciting British Service men and women to disobey orders whilst they were engaged in conflict.
· He was found guilty of threatening to stand as an independent candidate against the Labour Party
· He was found guilty of supporting a councillor from another party in Preston.
· He was acquitted of inciting voters in Plymouth to vote against their MPs
It is always sad when the Party has to take action against one of its members, but there are occasions when the behaviour of a member goes beyond that which is acceptable. This was one such occasion.
================== ends =====================
Some related links from the Beeb:
Galloway faces disciplinary hearing:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3212360.stm Galloway expelled by Labour:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3205889.stm Galloway expulsion 'will damage Labour':
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/scotland/3209617.stm Galloway ponders next move:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/scotland/3213635.stm Talking Point debate :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/talking_point/3208577.stm Various UK ICM readers' views on the expulsion:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/10/279395.html George Galloway is also addressing a public meeting this Thursday (30th) in Swindon. Details here:
http://freespace.virgin.net/swindon.stopwar/events.htm
Simon
Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
no logic really
29.10.2003 19:24
breaches international law.
Galloway *incites* Iraqi people to resist them.
Which of these is more likely to 'bring disrepute' on the Labour Party?
I think the hypocrisy (and racism - British lives worth more than Iraqi) is clear.
;
Britain needs liberating....
29.10.2003 19:28
We've had the British ambassador to Uzbekistan smeared and threatened with the loss of his job after speaking out against the US funded dictatorship and their attrocious human rights abuses, routine torture and oppression.
We've seen Blunkett slam the BBC for daring to expose the racism in the police force, less concerned with policemen declaring that Hitler had the "right idea" and more bothered about the type of investigation - that is, one with journalistic bravery and integrity, something the government fears as the Gilligan affair showed.
Now Galloway is expelled on dubious charges. Here's the full, and often ignored, transcript of what he actually said with regard to Arab armies. He makes it clear that it's not realistic for them to fight against Britain.
"Well let me say first of all that Iraq is fighting to all the Arabs. Why don’t the Arabs do something for the Iraqis [YOU SPEAK ABOUT THE DIGNITY OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE AND THEIR SUPPORT.] Where are the Arab armies? [EVEN IF IT IS NOT REALISTIC TO ASK A NON – IRAQI ARMY TO COME TO DEFEND IRAQ, WE SEE ARAB REGIMES PUMPING OIL FOR THE COUNTRIES -words indistinct-. TODAY 51 IRAQI CIVILIANS WERE KILLED IN BAGHDAD BY A MISSLE FIRED FROM AN ARAB COUNTRY. -words indistinct-] We wonder when the Arab leaders wake up? When are the going to stand by the Iraqi people?"
A
Why no treason charge, if they're so sure?
29.10.2003 19:47
Is it because high treason still carries a death sentence, and the prospect of Galloway swinging from a noose is too much even for Tony?
MickyG