UK Counter-Terrorism Officers Detain Politician George Galloway and Wife at Gatwick Airport
Veteran British politician George Galloway and his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, were briefly detained at Gatwick Airport on Saturday under the Terrorism Act. The pair was returning from Russia when they were stopped by counter-terrorism officers. Galloway, the leader of the Workers Party of Britain, claimed that he and his wife were questioned for several hours about their political views and asked to provide confidential information.
According to Galloway, he was questioned for approximately four hours, while his wife was questioned for about five hours. During the interrogation, they were asked politically loaded questions, including about their attitudes towards the conflict in Gaza and their relationships with certain countries. Galloway’s wife was even asked about the color of her fingernail, which was painted in Palestinian colors. 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 they were allowed to leave. However, Galloway rejected the official explanation, saying that no evidence of terrorism was presented during the questioning. He also claimed that officers asked him to provide a password for a phone that did not belong to him.
Galloway, a former MP and RT show host, has 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 certain governments and policies. He launched the party in 2019 and won the 2024 Rochdale by-election before losing 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 potential investigation into the incident will be closely watched by politicians, activists, and civil liberties groups.
