Galloway is back: Firebrand to run as MP again
By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt
George Galloway is to run for parliament again with a fight for the Labour-held Bradford West seat.
The constituency is set to hold a by-election after Labour MP Marsha Singh decided to step down due to ill health.
"On Tuesday, God-willing, I will be in Bradford West for consultations about standing for parliament in the forthcoming by-election," Mr Galloway wrote on Facebook.
"If I stand we will need money and men and women to rally the voters behind the banner of justice, equality and peace.
"It may be that this is the moment when we can all be together, to stop the wars abroad and the ruthless attrition being conducted against our own people at home."
The former MP is holding a press conference on the steps of the city hall today at 14:00 GMT where he will announce his intentions.
Mr Galloway was expelled from the Labour party after his criticism of the Iraq war veered towards treason, following a demand that Iraqi troops take up arms against allied forces.
He subsequently ran a brutal campaign against Labour MP Oona King, who supported the war, and won the Bethnal green and Bow seat for the new Respect party.
He won that battle, although his tenure as MP was marred by criticism that he spent more time furthering his own career ambitions, including a stint on Celebrity Big Brother, rather than dealing with constituency case work. Labour subsequently won the seat back.
Mr Galloway is a ferocious and eloquent critic of British foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East, although he has been widely criticised for praising regional dictators.
It is unclear whether he would be running for Bradford West on a Respect ticket, or as an independent.
The Bradford West by-election is expected to be held later this month although no date has yet been formally announced.
