George Galloway Attacks 'Blair's Bloody Legacy'

There was a mixed reception for controversial RESPECT MP George Galloway at Edge Hill University.

The five times elected Member of Parliament answered some challenging questions when he delivered his lecture on media manipulation to a packed theatre of students, academics and members of the public at the University's Ormskirk Campus.

Speaking to journalism students before the lecture, Mr Galloway attacked Tony Blair?s part in the Iraq war as a "bloody legacy" and referred to a "craven BBC" which he described as: "the Bush and Blair corporation."

Supporters and detractors of the politician, who has been described as the 9th most rebellious, enjoyed a sometimes heated debate on the Iraq war, the state of the British media and politics, and the aftermath of Mr Galloway's Big Brother appearance.

MarC Stanton, Edge Hill's lecturer in broadcast journalism organised the visit:

"It?s really important that our media and journalism students have the opportunity to interview people in the public eye, especially those as controversial as George Galloway," said Marc.

"I am delighted that they put Mr Galloway on the spot with some of their questions and I applaud him for responding so well to his critics. It was great to welcome so many people from the local community to the lecture ? Mr Galloway proved to be a very popular guest, attracting a mixed bag of supporters and detractors."

Addressing an audience of future journalists Mr Galloway took a pessimistic view of their chosen careers with a scathing attack on the British media.

"The British media had as much a part on the invasion of Iraq as the armed forces. They amplified the falsehoods of the government without proper scrutiny. The British media has failed the people, failed in its duty as an estate of the realm."

On a more positive note Mr Galloway claimed that the growth of media outlets in the UK means that students will have more choice of employers and may find alternatives to the "billionaire owned media."

"I hope that there are higher standards of journalism here at Edge Hill," added Mr Galloway. "I'm sure there are. You might think that I am bleak and pessimistic about the British media - that's because I am."

Mr Galloway went on to criticise the nuclear arms race: "Every nuclear bomb is a time bomb that threatens to wipe out the planet."

And on student tuition fees: "Paying for a university education is taking us back to the 1930s. I don?t believe that universities are a cost on the country. They are an investment. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."

George Galloway has agreed to return to Edge Hill next year. MarC Stanton said: "Mr Galloway was very impressed with the University, the quality of facilities and student questions."