Galloway to Sharif: Pay me £141,000

New disclosures have come to light about controversial British Labour MP George Galloway, who is facing charges of receiving money from Sadd...

New disclosures have come to light about controversial British Labour MP George Galloway, who is facing charges of receiving money from Saddam Hussein.

In The Daily Telegraph a BBC reporter Richard Watson has published an account of how the Galloway, a self-styled friend of oppressed countries, agreed to promote the interest of Pakistan and its then PM Benazir Bhutto.

Galloway derided by opponents, as ‘a mouthpiece of Iraqi regime’, is the most visible backbencher in the House of Commons. He once described Bush and Blair as ‘wolves’ for the ‘crime’ of aggression against Iraq.

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While working on a documentary for BBC’s Newsnight in Islamabad, Watson got access to documents establishing Galloway’s close ties with Pakistani governments.

The story begins in mid-1990s when Galloway established ties with highest Pakistani authorities to publish a newspaper from London to campaign for Kashmir and to promote the interests of then Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto.

Watson found an unsigned letter in the files of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry proposing to set up a Pakistan Projection Fund and to launch a newspaper called The Asian Voice. The author noted that ‘‘its political line would be that of Pakistan People’s Party’’. Bhutto approved the plan.

Later a company called Asian Voice Ltd was set up in London. Watson found documents in Pakistan proving that Galloway was appointed as a company director controlling a third of its shares. Bhutto’s government agreed to pay an amount of £547,000.

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As per a memo dated Jan 2, 1996 Pakistan proposed to “sponsor” the publication, with money allocated to “the Secret Fund of High Commissioner for Pakistan in UK as a special grant for the project”. Then disaster struck. Just two weeks before the launch, the Bhutto government was dismissed.

As per a memo dated January 26, 1996, a meeting was arranged between Galloway, Pakistani High Commissioner and new Foreign Secretary. Galloway was informed that he would not get the funds. Galloway argued that closing the paper may cause political problems. Two days after the meeting a cheque for £1,35,000 was sent to Asian Voice Ltd. Watson was able to get a copy of the cheque with Galloway’s signature acknowledging receipt.

On May 8, 1997, Galloway wrote to Nawaz Sharif: ‘‘The Government of Pakistan promised to pay costs totalling £150,000. None of these instalments came. Now, I face creditors to the tune of £141,000. Now that Parliament is back, they are coming through my door at Westminster demanding money.’’

‘‘My dear PM, if these creditors are not paid they will take me to court on a winding-up petition. Events then would be disastrous and would damage Pakistan’s reputation.’’ “I beg you, sir, to instruct the High Commission in London to honour the commitments. There are only days to spare.”

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On May 26, Galloway wrote another letter to Sharif, surprisingly on House of Commons headed paper: “I beg you to grant me an audience with you, sir, so we can resolve the matter.”

As per Watson, Asian Voice Ltd was paid approximately £300,000 by Pakistan.

Galloway refused to take part in Watson’s documentary and argued in a letter: “Asian Voice Ltd had business relations with various companies and governments in countries friendly to, or allied with, Great Britain. Those commercial relations were conducted on the basis of confidentiality and remain confidential.”

Galloway was also involved with a group called The National Lobby on Kashmir. In Islamabad Watson obtained a document, signed “George Galloway”, acknowledging receipt of a cheque for £50,000 and £10,000 in cash on behalf of the Lobby. The receipt stated that money was spent on leaflets, posters, an office, staff and “countless media opportunities”.