Galloway Questioned By Cops Over Israel Speech

Respect MP George Galloway has been interviewed under caution by police over a speech in which he declared Bradford an "Israel-free zone".

Speaking to party activists earlier this month, the controversial politician said he did not want Israelis coming to the city of his constituency.

Footage posted online of the speech given in Leeds, provoked an outcry on social media, and West Yorkshire Police said it would investigate after receiving more than 300 complaints.

Detectives travelled to London to speak to him and he did so voluntarily.

Mr Galloway said: "This is an absolute and despicable attempt to curb my freedom of speech by people who appear to be quite happy about the indiscriminate murder of Palestinians in Gaza.

"I won't be silenced, I will keep speaking out against horrendous injustice."

He is understood to believe no prosecution for inciting racial hatred will follow his comments.

The Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether any charges should be brought.

Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Money, said: "A 59-year-old man has been interviewed under caution voluntarily following complaints made about the content of a speech given in Leeds earlier this month.

"Once enquiries are completed the matter will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for their consideration."

In his speech, the MP for Bradford West said: "We have declared Bradford an Israel-free zone.

"We don't want any Israeli goods. We don't want any Israeli services.

"We don't want any Israeli academics coming to the university or college.

"We don't even want any Israeli tourists to come to Bradford even if any of them had thought of doing so.

"We reject this illegal, barbarous, savage state that calls itself Israel. And you have to do the same."

On Monday, the Israeli ambassador to the UK visited Bradford and dismissed Mr Galloway's comments.

"It's not an Israel-free zone you are talking about George. It's a tolerance-free zone, a progress-free zone, a future-free zone," Daniel Taub said.

Israeli tourists have also tweeted pictures of themselves visiting the city and holding up the Israeli flag.

Mr Galloway, who took the Bradford West seat from Labour following a by-election in 2012, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, and has called for the city to be twinned with Gaza.