[Red Moon]

Blair joins criticism of big brother Galloway

10 January 2006

Tony Blair has joined the growing criticism of George Galloway, the Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, over his decision to take part in TV show Celebrity Big Brother.

The Prime Minister indicated he would not be happy if a Labour MP had taken a similar decision to join the series.

Asked on GMTV "Would you fancy one of your MPs doing that?", Mr Blair replied: "No."

He said he had been too busy to watch the anti-war MP, whose surprise entrance into the Big Brother house on January 5 boosted ratings for the hit show.

Mr Galloway said his participation would be "good for politics" and he believed that politicians should use "every opportunity" to communicate with people.

But local residents in his Bethnal Green and Bow constituency have staged a protest outside his office in east London accusing him of abandoning his responsibilities and demanding he give back his MP's pay for the time he is in the house.

An internet protest campaign - Get Back To Work, George - is calculating how much it costs taxpayers each day Mr Galloway stays inside the house. At 9am today it stood at £754.

Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour Minister for London, has also joined in the attacks, accusing the anti-war MP of being a "C-list politician with an A-list ego".

On Thursday there will be a Commons debate on the £500 million Crossrail transport link which will affect the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency.

Source: Telegraph