Slanging match MPs apologise

Mr Galloway is opposed to military action against Iraq

Labour MP George Galloway and the minister who called him an "apologist" for Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime both apologised to the House of Commons after their slanging match on Wednesday.

In personal statements to MPs on Thursday, junior foreign office minister Ben Bradshaw said he was sorry for the offence he had caused Mr Galloway.

I accept that it would have been better if I had not used the phrase that I applied to Mr Galloway and I am sorry for the offence that was caused

Ben Bradshaw
Junior foreign office minister

The Glasgow Kelvin MP, who had branded Mr Bradshaw a liar, apologised for failing to withdraw the remark.

The row on Wednesday between the two Labour MPs forced deputy speaker John McWilliam to suspend the debate on military action against Iraq.

But on Thursday, Mr Bradshaw told MPs: "During the heat of debate, strong feelings are expressed on both sides of the House.

"I hope in my time here I have always shown proper respect for the chair and observed its rulings.

Mr Bradshaw accused Mr Galloway of being 'an apologist' for Iraq.

"As you will be aware, I was not asked by the deputy speaker in Westminster Hall yesterday to withdraw my remarks at the time they were made.

"However, on reflection, I accept that it would have been better if I had not used the phrase that I applied to Mr Galloway and I am sorry for the offence that was caused."

Mr Galloway then rose to his feet to add: "In the debate in Westminster Hall yesterday exchanges became frank to the point of being unacceptable and I should like to apologise to the deputy speaker in Westminster Hall, to you Mr Speaker and to the House for my part in that.

I would like to say I am sorry for stepping out of parliamentary order and for my failure to withdraw my remarks when asked to do so

George Galloway
Labour MP

"The issues under discussion were of grave urgency and importance and were issues which mean a very great deal to me.

"Exchanges on both sides of the argument were decidedly robust.

"Nonetheless I would like to say I am sorry for stepping out of parliamentary order and for my failure to withdraw my remarks when asked to do so by the deputy speaker.

"I now do so withdraw them."

Accusations fly

The pair fell out in Westminster Hall when Mr Bradshaw, summing up the 90 minute debate, turned on Mr Galloway to stress: "Some good points that you made on the Middle East peace process would I believe carry more credibility if you hadn't made a career of being not just an apologist but a mouthpiece to the Iraqi regime over many years."

Mr Galloway jumped up, demanded a retraction, accusing the minister of "slander" and shouting: "You're a liar".

Deputy speaker John McWilliam urged the MP to withdraw the remark, but Mr Galloway insisted: "His imputation that I am a mouthpiece for a dictator is a clear imputation of dishonour. He is the one who should be withdrawing, not me."

The refusal prompted Mr McWilliam to suspend the debate.

More than 50 MPs have signed Labour MP Alice Mahon's Commons motion which expressed "deep unease" about the prospect of war with Iraq.