Detention at Gatwick and the legal framework
On Saturday, 27 September 2025, George Galloway and his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, were pulled aside by the Metropolitan Police's Counter‑Terrorism Command at Gatwick Airport. The couple had just landed from Moscow, with a layover in Abu Dhabi, when officers invoked Schedule 3 of the Counter‑Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. That clause gives police the power to stop anyone they suspect of activities that could threaten national security or the UK's economic wellbeing.
According to an official police statement, the pair were detained for several hours while officers carried out questioning. No arrest was made and they were allowed to continue their journey after the interview. The police did not disclose any specific allegations, charges, or evidence, only confirming that the detention was lawful under the Act.
The Workers Party of Britain, which Galloway has led since 2019, immediately condemned the action. In a post on X, the party described the detention as "politically motivated intimidation" and demanded the "IMMEDIATE RELEASE" of its leader and spouse. The statement noted that they received a notification at 11 am about the stop but were blocked from getting any details about the reasons behind it.
Political fallout and Galloway’s recent controversies
The Gatwick incident comes on the heels of a string of high‑profile trips and statements that have put Galloway in the media spotlight. Earlier this year he toured several countries commonly viewed as hostile to the West, including a highly publicised visit to Iran in May. While there he accepted the "Martyr Ismail Haniyeh award" at a state‑run media festival, praising his "outspoken defence of Palestine." During his acceptance speech he made the claim that he possessed a personal passport belonging to the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, describing it as one of his "most treasured possessions."
These actions have drawn criticism from both government officials and political opponents, who argue that Galloway is aligning himself with extremist figures. The controversy is amplified by his recent loss of the Rochdale seat in the 2024 general election—just months after a surprise by‑election win—making his political future uncertain.
- May 2025 – Visits Iran, receives Haniyeh award, flaunts alleged Hamas passport.
- July 2025 – Travels to Moscow via Abu Dhabi, raising eyebrows over ties to Russia.
- September 2025 – Detained at Gatwick under Schedule 3, released without charge.
- Party response – Accuses police of intimidation, calls for immediate release.
Galloway’s Workers Party positions itself as economically far‑left while holding socially conservative stances, such as opposition to EU membership and gender self‑identification policies. His long‑standing pro‑life stance, dating back to a 2005 interview where he said "life begins at conception," adds another layer of controversy to his public persona.While the detention did not result in formal charges, it has sparked a broader debate about the balance between national security powers and political freedoms. Critics argue that using counter‑terrorism legislation against a senior politician sets a dangerous precedent, while supporters of the police say the law must be applied uniformly, regardless of a person's status.
As the story develops, the Workers Party is likely to push for a parliamentary inquiry into the use of Schedule 3 in this case, and Galloway himself may use the episode to rally his base, framing it as proof of establishment bias against dissenting voices.
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