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George Galloway complaint passed on to police by expenses watchdog George Galloway complaint passed on to police by expenses watchdog
(about 1 hour later)
A complaint against the former Respect MP George Galloway over his use of parliamentary funds has been referred to the police, the parliamentary standards watchdog has revealed. A complaint against the former Respect MP George Galloway about his use of parliamentary funds has been referred to the police, the parliamentary standards watchdog has said.
Galloway’s former parliamentary assistant, Aisha Ali Khan, reported him to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority earlier this year, claiming that she spent more time running personal errands for him than on official work. Galloway’s former parliamentary assistant Aisha Ali Khan reported him to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority earlier this year, claiming that she spent more time running personal errands for him than on official work.
She alleged that, during her six-month stint as his taxpayer-funded assistant in 2012, she was required to help plan his wedding, shop for underwear, sort out his laundry, make his breakfast and work for the Viva Palestina charity. She alleged that, during her six months as his taxpayer-funded assistant in 2012, she was required to help plan his wedding; shop for underwear; sort out his laundry; make his breakfast and work for the Viva Palestina charity he helped establish.
Her lawyers say this amounts to a breach of the requirement to use funds for parliamentary purposes. Galloway denies the allegations.Her lawyers say this amounts to a breach of the requirement to use funds for parliamentary purposes. Galloway denies the allegations.
After an assessment of Ali Khan’s claims, Ipsa’s compliance officer, Peter Davis, passed on the case to the Metropolitan police. After an assessment of Ali Khan’s claims, Ipsa’s compliance officer, Peter Davis, passed the case on to the Metropolitan police.
Responding to the Ipsa statement, Galloway said: “This is news to me. According to the media, Ipsa have had a complaint but they haven’t informed me who has complained or exactly what the complaint is about. And then, without even a call, an email or a letter, they appear to have handed it on to the Met and gone public about it.
“If Ipsa’s compliance officer has completed some kind of investigation without asking for any response from the person complained about, or even letting him know who has complained and what the complaint is about, then that is surely a breach of natural justice, and undoubtedly inspired by Kafka. When I know officially what this is all about, I will respond more fully.”
Galloway lost his Bradford West seat at the general election this month.Galloway lost his Bradford West seat at the general election this month.