Galloway accused of lying to US Senate

Ewen MacAskill and Julian Borger in Washington
Tuesday October 25, 2005
The Guardian

The MP George Galloway angrily rejected fresh allegations last night from a US senate investigation that he lied under oath about Saddam Hussein's multimillion-pound oil-for-food programme.

The inquiry, headed by the Republican Norm Coleman, claimed he had "knowingly made false or misleading statements under oath" when he appeared before a committee hearing in Washington in May.

The MP for Bethnal Green and Bow won widespread acclaim, especially from anti-Iraq war campaigners, when he flew to the US capital to confront Mr Coleman.

An assistant to Mr Galloway, Ron McKay, who sat beside him at the Senate hearing, said last night that the MP was prepared to fly to Washington again to face the new allegations. "If such an allegation has been made, George denies it absolutely and is ready to fly to the US tomorrow if Coleman brings these charges and it will all be sorted in court," he said.

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Galloway pledges to take fight to clear name into enemy territory

· MP challenges accuser to debate in midwest base
· Demand for perjury claim to be settled by court fight

Ewen MacAskill
Wednesday October 26, 2005
The Guardian

George Galloway is considering taking his fight with Senator Norm Coleman to the Republican's heartland by booking a venue in Minnesota and challenging him to a debate.

Mr Coleman is chairman of a senate permanent sub-committee on investigations that yesterday accused Mr Galloway of lying under oath about Saddam Hussein's multi-million pound oil-for food programme.

The senate investigation claimed Mr Galloway, the Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, was granted eight oil allocations totalling 23 million barrels between 1999 and 2003. Mr Galloway said he had never received a penny in oil money.