George Galloway sacked by magazine

Bradford West MP George Galloway has been sacked as a columnist from the Scottish magazine Holyrood, after making controversial remarks about rape in light of the Julian Assange case.

The editor of the political magazine, Mandy Rhodes, wrote on the website:

"Galloway has always courted controversy and while I have not always agreed with some of his views, I have admired him for staying true to his original political beliefs and particularly for his stance over Iraq.

"I had always felt that in an increasingly bland and corporate political world, he added some colour and was often an effective thorn in the side of the establishment. If nothing else, he provoked debate which is healthy.

"However, his recent outpourings about definitions of rape have left me, frankly gobsmacked.

"There is no excuse, ever, for sex without consent and regardless of the details of the Assange case, Galloway’s comments and inappropriate language about rape per se are alarming.

"I had hoped he might have taken the last 24 hours to reflect on his judgement and perhaps make some kind of public apology but that has not been apparent, far from it.

"So, it is with some very genuine regret that I have asked him to no longer write his column for the magazine."

Respect MP George Galloway was attacked by the leader of his own party yesterday over his claim that a rape allegation against the WikiLeaks campaigner amounted to no more than bad "sexual etiquette".

Salma Yaqoob described Mr Galloway's comments as "deeply disappointing and wrong".

In a statement released on Tuesday, Galloway responded to his critics, saying "what occurred is not rape as most people understand it. And it's important to note that the two women involved did not initially claim it."

His outburst has been deemed "offensive and deeply concerning" by Rape Crisis.