Veteran British politician George Galloway and his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, were briefly detained at Gatwick Airport on Saturday under the Terrorism Act. The couple had been returning from Russia when counter‑terrorism officers stopped them. Galloway, leader of the Workers Party of Britain, said they were questioned for several hours about their political views and were asked to provide confidential information. He claimed he was interrogated for about four hours, while his wife was questioned for roughly five hours.
During the interrogation, officers posed politically charged questions, including inquiries about their attitudes toward the Gaza conflict and their relationships with certain countries. Galloway’s wife was even asked about the colour of her fingernail polish, which was painted in Palestinian colours. The officers also requested access to their phones and laptops, which were eventually confiscated.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s were stopped under the Terrorism Act, but stated that neither was arrested and that they were allowed to leave. Galloway rejected this explanation, saying no evidence of terrorism was presented and that officers asked him for a password to a phone that did not belong to him.
Galloway, a former MP and former RT show host, announced plans to pursue legal action against the Metropolitan Police. His lawyer is scheduled to address a press conference in Belfast to discuss the matter. The incident has raised concerns about the use of counter‑terrorism laws to target political figures and the potential for abuse of power.
As the leader of the Workers Party of Britain, Galloway has been an outspoken critic of various governments and policies. He launched the party in 2019, won the 2024 Rochdale by‑election, and later lost his seat to Labour in the general election. The detention of Galloway and his wife has sparked controversy and debate about the limits of free speech and the role of law enforcement in policing political activity. The outcome of the legal action and any subsequent investigation will be closely watched by politicians, activists, and civil‑liberties groups.
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