Galloway hits back at Campbell’s ‘poor representative’ attack

The DUP MP accused Mr Galloway of abusing the Parliamentary system by tabling over 100 Early Day Motions in just a few months.

But Mr Galloway hit back saying Mr Campbell should concentrate on representing his constituents rather than attacking “more diligent” members of Parliament.

Mr Campbell said he regularly uses EDMs to highlight issues which might otherwise not get raised within Parliament.

However, he added: “Most MPs value the procedure and take care when using it, but unfortunately Respect MP George Galloway has not only devalued this but through submitting dozens of these motions on a weekly basis he has actually abused the Parliamentary system in the eyes of many.”

He continued: “The real reason behind this ‘activity’ from Mr Galloway of course may simply be as a smokescreen to hide the fact that he is inactive in every other aspect of his role as an MP.

“His absence from the House of Commons was most recently recognised when he did put in an appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions and he was met with calls of ‘who’s he?’ and ‘never here.’

“It is very unfortunate however that Mr Galloway would seek to abuse this useful system but it is not particularly surprising.”

Mr Galloway responded by saying Mr Campbell should concentrate on representing his own constituents.

Referring to Mr Campbell’s appearance in a 1985 film documentary entitled ‘The Edge of the Union,’ which also featured Martin McGuinness, he said: “There’s a rather famous video on YouTube of Gregory Campbell loading a pistol, but I’m afraid he has shot himself in the foot on this one.

“Is there a limit of the number of motions an MP should put in? Does Mr Campbell think he should be vetting them? It seems so. But can he point out any that aren’t genuine, dozens of which have had hundreds of MPs supporting them?”

The former Labour Party member also referred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority’s (IPSA) recent demand that Mr Campbell pay back £61k in profits made on a second home part-funded by the people.

Of 71 MPs asked to pay back money Mr Campbell owed the second highest amount.

Mr Galloway said: “He should concentrate on representing his own constituents and not attack another MP who is rather more diligent, and has a rather better and more acknowledged record in parliamentary debating than the member for part of Derry.”