The appearance of George Galloway as a “surprise guest” at a “Brexit” rally provoked an angry walkout by supporters of Grassroots Out, one of the main groups campaigning against Britain’s EU membership.
George Galloway and Nigel Farage join forces at an anti-EU membership campaign event in London (Rex)
Mr Galloway, the former Respect MP for Bradford West and previously Poplar and Limehouse, was hailed by Nigel Farage as “without doubt one of the greatest orators in this country, he is a towering figure on the left of British politics.”
"Mr Farage and me ... Kate Hoey and Mr Davis" says Galloway. And herein lies the problem for Grassroots Out.
— Kate McCann (@KateEMcCann) February 19, 2016
While some supporters of the Grassroots Out campaign gave Mr Galloway a “warm welcome” as requested by the UKIP leader, others were incensed by his appearance on the stage.
Some attendees described Mr Galloway’s presence at the Westminster Conference Centre as a disgrace.
• EU summit: latest developments - live
Mr Galloway, who was expelled from the Labour party in 2003, earned notoriety for meeting Saddam Hussein and saying ”Sir I salute your courage, your strength, your indefatigability”.
As emotions ran high security guards were reportedly told to close the doors to prevent people leaving the hall.
“This has ruined this evening, as far as I am concerned, it’s disgusting,” one angry attendee said.
Mr Galloway told his audience that he was speaking in memory of Tony Benn, an icon of the Labour left who campaigned for Britain to withdraw from the EEC in 1975.
And yes, that is @Tim_Aker walking out as Galloway starts ... pic.twitter.com/GYa8n8VwqY
— Kate McCann (@KateEMcCann) February 19, 2016
He said it was essential that Britain cut its ties with Brussels for the sake of the audience’s children.
His presence was intended to demonstrate the breadth of the coalition backing Brexit.
While some of the audience booed, Peter Bone, a Tory MP, hailed Mr Galloway’s “great speech”.
