Galloway expulsion 'will damage Labour'

George Galloway is considering his political future

Labour in Scotland will be damaged by the expulsion of Glasgow Kelvin MP George Galloway, according to the chairman of his constituency party.

Mark Craig claimed that up to 60 Labour members could quit the local party after the controversial MP was expelled for his comments on the war in Iraq.

Mr Craig said he was "disgusted" by the decision and he claimed that Labour would be damaged by its treatment of Mr Galloway, who at the last general election had a majority of 7,260.

"Labour are likely to lose votes and members over this - within Scotland, within Glasgow, and especially in Kelvin," he said.

If there is a by-election in Glasgow Kelvin I cannot be sure that I would win it but I can certainly be sure that Tony Blair's candidate would lose it George Galloway

"I would say perhaps 50 or 60 members in Glasgow Kelvin could well resign because of the way George has been treated."

Mr Galloway had faced five charges relating to a television interview during the war in which he condemned UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush for invading Iraq.

The Labour Party found him guilty of inciting Arabs to fight British troops and inciting British troops to defy orders.

It also found that he threatened to stand against Labour and backed an anti-war candidate in Preston.

Mr Galloway is to travel to his constituency at the weekend to consider his political future.

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that any move to force a by-election could have serious implications for those still in the Labour party who supported him.

He has been punished for standing up to Tony Blair, and opposing the illegal and unnecessary war in Iraq. Alex Salmond MP Scottish National Party

He said: "I am not ruling it out and I am not being disingenuous about it but I really do have to consult my constituents and my comrades about that.

"If there is a by-election in Glasgow Kelvin I cannot be sure that I would win it but I can certainly be sure that Tony Blair's candidate would lose it."

Mr Galloway refused to be drawn on whether or how many of his colleagues would follow him if he decided to take the issue to the constituency electorate.

Mr Craig said he planned to contact the Glasgow Kelvin's constituency party secretary to discuss what should happen next.

And it was possible an emergency meeting of the local party executive would be called to discuss the issue.

Labour divisions

As an expelled member, Mr Galloway would not be able to attend party meetings.

But Mr Craig said it was possible a public meeting could take place, which Mr Galloway could attend.

Scottish National Party Westminster parliamentary leader Alex Salmond said: "George Galloway has been expelled for his views, rather than for the way he expressed them.

"He has been punished for standing up to Tony Blair, and opposing the illegal and unnecessary war in Iraq."