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George Galloway takes legal action over general election defeat

Former MP George Galloway is starting a legal challenge against his defeat in last week's general election.

Mr Galloway won the Bradford West seat for his Respect party in a by-election in 2012 but he was defeated by Labour's Naz Shah who secured a majority of more than 11,000.

The result followed a bitter battle between Mr Galloway and Ms Shah - especially relating to Ms Shah's family background.

MP George Galloway has signalled that he is starting a legal challenge against his defeat in last week's general election Credit: PA

In a statement Mr Galloway said: "It has come to my notice that there has been widespread malpractice in this election, particularly over postal voting.

"We are in the process of compiling the information which will form part of our petition to have the result set aside."

Mr Galloway said he had added more information to his complaints under the Representation of the People Act concerning allegedly "false statements made with the intention of affecting the result of an election".

A Labour spokesman said: "This is pathetic and without any foundation.

"George Galloway should accept he was booted out by the people of Bradford West. They saw through his divisive politics and made a positive choice, by a majority of well over 11,000, to elect a brilliant new MP, Naz Shah."