Ex-British MP George Galloway ‘questioned on China’ by UK counterterror police

Former British member of parliament George Galloway has said he was held by counterterror police for nine hours at Gatwick Airport and had his phone and laptop confiscated before being released without charge.

Galloway, 71, said officers stopped him for “no reason at all” other than to “gain access to our communications”.

The ex-MP and his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, were allowed on their way after being stopped on Saturday under the Terrorism Act, the Metropolitan Police said.

Reports said the couple had returned to the UK from Moscow via Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In a ranting introduction to his Mother Of All Talk Shows broadcast, Galloway said officers had questioned him about his views on Russia and China.

Galloway said he had travelled to the UK to give a speech in London at an event expected to be attended by the Chinese ambassador.