George Galloway threatens to sue Jon Lansman over anti-Semitism claims

Emilio Casalicchio

George Galloway has vowed to take legal action against Momentum boss Jon Lansman in a row over anti-Semitism - and called on Jeremy Corbyn to back him up as a witness.



The former MP - who was expelled from Labour in 2003 over comments he made against the Iraq war - accused the Momentum founder of a "defamatory smear" over comments he made about Jewish comedian David Baddiel.

Mr Galloway called him a "vile Israel fanatic" in a now-deleted tweet following a report that Mr Baddiel was planning to take part in an anti-Donald Trump march.

In response, Mr Lansman - who is Jewish and was elected to Labour's ruling national executive committee two weeks ago - said Mr Galloway should not be allowed back into the party, and called for him to be sacked from his job as a radio talk show host.

Solidarity with @Baddiel - since he’s a Jew who’s talked about being non-Zionist, there’s no possible reason to call him a “vile Israel-fanatic” other than antisemitism. There clearly should be no place for @georgegalloway in @UKLabour or in the employment of @talkRADIO https://t.co/WzhzqsRUG5 — Jon Lansman (@jonlansman) 30 January 2018

That sparked a furious response from Mr Galloway, who insisted he had "never said an anti-Semitic word in my life"

I have never said an anti-Semitic word in my life. I have to the contrary fought fascism and anti-Semitism as adjudged by Justice Eady in the High Court. I will prove this again in my legal action against Jon Lansman owner of Momentum and will call @jeremycorbyn as my witness — George Galloway (@georgegalloway) 30 January 2018

The use of the defamatory smear of anti-Semitism against supporters of the Palestinian people has at least for me gone far enough. I have instructed Solicitors to bring a case for defamation against Jon Lansman owner of Momentum. I will be calling @jeremycorbyn as a witness. — George Galloway (@georgegalloway) 30 January 2018

Jeremy Corbyn's office have refused to be drawn on calls for Mr Galloway - who was a Labour MP in Glasgow from 1987 until his expulsion - to be allowed back into the party.

Sources close to the leader have pointed to Labour rules which ban anyone from membership for five years after they stand against the party in an election.

However, that can be overturned by the NEC if the person who is banned has the support of a constituency Labour party.

Andrew Murray - who is a close ally of Mr Corbyn and helped to run Labour's general election campaign - said last month it is "long past time" for Mr Galloway to be re-admitted.