New MP is sworn in at the Commons
GEORGE Galloway was formerly sworn in as the new MP for Rochdale on Monday.
In the House of Commons Mr Galloway, 69, took the parliamentary oath, an oath of allegiance to the Crown.
It’s traditionally performed by new MPS before they take their seats in Parliament.
Required under law, MPS cannot take their seat, speak in debates, vote or receive a salary until taking the oath or affirmation.
Mr Galloway approached Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay
Hoyle, after he asked: “Would members wishing to take their seats please come to the table.”
Holding a Bible in his left hand, he said with his right hand raised: “I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
“So help me God.” He then went on to sign the ‘Test Roll’ - a parchment book kept by the Clerk of the House - before shaking the Speaker’s hand, again in line with convention.
He then left the chamber.
Mr Galloway was accompanied onto the floor by Alba Party MP Neale Hanvey and Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley, the Father of the House, as his sponsors.
An outspoken advocate for the Palestinian cause, the veteran politician put the war in Gaza front and centre of his campaign to return to Parliament.
Since his expulsion from the Labour Party in 2003, for whom he won four elections in Glasgow, Mr Galloway has entered seven races to represent six different constituencies including Manchester Gorton, which he lost in 2017.
He left Parliament in 2010 after 23 years, having represented Bethnal Green and Bow in London for the
Respect Party in the last five, before returning as a Bradford MP in 2012.
Labour beat him to win back Bradford West at a general election three years later.
The Rochdale by-election was sparked after the death of Rochdale’s sitting Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd, who had represented the town since 2017.