The issue surrounding George Galloway's expulsion is nothing to do with George's passionate opposition to the war. Over 130 of our MPs opposed or expressed doubts about the military action taken in Iraq, and they have the right to that view.

But George Galloway didn't simply oppose military action. What he did was unique. He went on international television to incite foreign forces to rise up against British troops who were risking their lives at a time of conflict. He was the only MP to do this.

It is simply not acceptable that a Labour Member of Parliament would incite others to attack the sons and daughters of British families in this way.

Following George Galloway's comments the party received an unprecedented number of complaints from party members and party supporters who were outraged at these comments and the party had no choice but to act on these complaints.

George Galloway was charged with five breaches of rule 2A.8 of our rulebook which states that, "No member of the party shall engage in conduct which in the opinion of the NCC is prejudicial, or in any act which in the opinion of the NCC is grossly detrimental to the party." He was not charged with his views on the war in Iraq, indeed the Prime Minister acknowledged in his Conference speech that the war had divided the Party and the Country and that over 130 MPs voted against the war in Iraq.

The case against George Galloway was heard by the NCC on October 22nd and October 23rd. The NCC is an independent body which considers party disciplinary matters. The NCC is completely independent of the NEC and the party leadership. It was established in 1986 to separate the prosecution and determination of a case. The NCC has their own independent legal advice, separate to the Labour Party's legal advice.

Every member of the NCC is elected with elections taking place at annual conference. Members of the NCC have to have been party members for a minimum of 5 years and Ministers, MPs, MEPs, NEC members and party staff are not allowed to be members of NCC.

There are in total 11 members of the NCC - 6 are drawn from trade unions, 4 from CLPs, 1 from the affiliated societies. The NCC then nominates three members of the committee to hear each case. The NCC hearing took two days and lasted fourteen hours. At the end of the hearing the Chair of the NCC panel announced:

"Following the case brought by the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to the National Constitutional Committee, and after a two day hearing, the unanimous decision of the panel of the NCC found four of the five charges brought against Mr Galloway proven, and the decision of the panel was that Mr Galloway be expelled from membership of the Labour Party forthwith."

· He was found guilty of inciting Arab armies to fight British Service men and women whilst they were engaged in conflict.

· He was found guilty of inciting British Service men and women to disobey orders whilst they were engaged in conflict.

· He was found guilty of threatening to stand as an independent candidate against the Labour Party

· He was found guilty of supporting a councillor from another party in Preston.

· He was acquitted of inciting voters in Plymouth to vote against their MPs

It is always sad when the Party has to take action against one of its members, but there are occasions when the behaviour of a member goes beyond that which is acceptable. This was one such occasion.

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Some related links from the Beeb:

Galloway faces disciplinary hearing:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3212360.stm
Galloway expelled by Labour:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3205889.stm
Galloway expulsion 'will damage Labour':  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/scotland/3209617.stm
Galloway ponders next move:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/scotland/3213635.stm
Talking Point debate :  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/talking_point/3208577.stm

Various UK ICM readers' views on the expulsion:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/10/279395.html

George Galloway is also addressing a public meeting this Thursday (30th) in Swindon. Details here:  http://freespace.virgin.net/swindon.stopwar/events.htm