Posted on 04/24/2003 2:32:41 PM PDT by knighthawk
The appeal founded by Labour MP George Galloway to pay for the treatment of an Iraqi girl suffering from leukaemia is to face investigation by the Charity Commission.
The Attorney General's office said the commission would undertake "further fact finding" into allegations that the Mariam Appeal used charitable funds for non-charitable purposes.
The move follows a complaint to the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, from a member of the public that money donated to the appeal was used to pay for Mr Galloway's travel expenses, despite a promise that it would be used to treat sick Iraqi children.
A statement from the Attorney General's office said: "Following preliminary inquiries into a complaint that the Mariam Appeal may have used charitable funds for non-charitable purposes, the Attorney General has agreed with the Charity Commission that the Commission will undertake further fact finding."
It added that the Commission would keep Lord Goldsmith informed of the results of its inquiries.
When Prime Minister Tony Blair was pondering a question in Parliament this month about who in Iraq would be qualified to deliver the unconditional surrender that Britain was seeking, an anonymous legislator brought the House down by shouting, "George Galloway!"
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