Galloway denies ‘fawning’ over Saddam
George Galloway has denied “fawning on” former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein when he met him in the mid 1990s, as his libel trial with the Daily Telegraph continued.
Mr Galloway is suing The Telegraph over allegations that he received £375,000 in oil money from the dictator’s regime.
The claim was made by the newspaper’s foreign correspondent, David Blair, who found documents in the ruins of Iraq’s former Foreign Ministry.
The MP for Glasgow Kelvin does not believe the documents are genuine.
James Price QC, representing The Telegraph, told the High Court that Mr Galloway wrote a column in the Mail on Sunday in 2002 describing the Iraqi dictator’s “gentle handshake” and willingness to offer a box of Quality Street chocolates.
Mr Galloway was outraged when accused of defending Saddam over the chemical weapons massacre at Halabja, shouting :”How dare you!” across the courtroom.
The court heard a tape made in 1994 on which the anti-war MP said in a speech in front of dignitaries, including Saddam and Tariq Aziz: “I salute your courage, your strength, your indefatigability.”
Mr Galloway denied he was referring to the courage of the dictator, saying the remarks were directed at the Iraqi people.
Mr Price said it appeared Mr Galloway was “fawning on” Saddam after meeting parents who were calling their sons Saddam.
Mr Galloway replied: “It is a measure of the failures of the policies supported by your client that that is so and people all over the world are calling their sons Saddam.”
“I was trying to stop a disastrous war and wanted to convey the feeling of the Iraqi people that they should extend an olive branch to Great Britain.”
The case continues.
