George Galloway entourage 'attacked by Islamic pupils'

Mr Galloway's grandson was said to be frightened by the incident

George Galloway's entourage has been attacked by "students" of a controversial Muslim leader, the politician's spokesman has said.

The Respect party candidate for Poplar and Limehouse was campaigning in Watney Market, east London, when three men allegedly abused and lunged at him.

The spokesman said that the trio pushed members of the group and would have attacked Mr Galloway if they could.

Anjem Choudary, ex-leader of Islam4UK, said the claim was "fabricated".

He said the men were his former students who had studied the Islamic religion with him, but refused to say if they were former members of the now-banned Islam4UK group.

Police arrested and bailed three men on suspicion of behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The alleged incident took place at about 1500 BST on Saturday. No one was injured.

Mr Galloway's spokesman said: "There were three characters who were shouting abuse.

"They were shouting 'kafir' [a derogatory word for non-believer], which is very insulting, and that Mr Galloway deserved to die.

People are entitled to their opinion - but not when they are trying to violently intimidate people from voting George Galloway's spokesman

"They were very aggressive and then they lunged forward towards Mr Galloway.

"I would certainly consider it an attack."

The spokesman said that the men barged and pushed other members of the entourage and, had they not been in the way, he believes Mr Galloway would have been assaulted.

He said: "It was their intention to have physical contact.

"Their ire is directed at us because we have Muslims involved in the campaign, and they don't think Muslims should play a part in democracy.

POPLAR AND LIMEHOUSE CANDIDATES George Galloway - Respect Tim Archer - Conservatives Jim Fitzpatrick - Labour Jonathan Fryer - Liberal Democrats Andrew Osbourne - English Democrats Jim Thornton - Independent Kabir Mahmud - Independent

"People are entitled to their opinion - but not when they are trying to violently intimidate people from voting."

Mr Galloway's three-year-old son and grandson, aged eight, were both present. The spokesman said the eight-year-old was "frightened" by the incident.

Mr Choudary, who recently aborted a planned Islam4UK march through the Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett, said of the attack claim: "It is completely fabricated.

"These three men were distributing leaflets and putting about their opinion.

"They did not lunge at George Galloway - it was nothing of the sort.

"When an MP makes an allegation it is always taken seriously - but he has completely fabricated it."

Mr Choudary's organisation was banned in January

Mr Choudary said one of the men had a recording of the incident.

In January the government announced Islam4UK was to be banned under counter-terrorism laws.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We were called at 3pm on Saturday to reports of a disturbance.

"It would appear there was a minor incident whereby four men appeared to lunge at a fifth man. There were no injuries.

"We had three arrests under the Public Order Act. They were bailed to return on May 7th."