Galloway and wife detained by counter-terrorism police at Gatwick, later released

A former British MP and his wife were arrested by counter-terrorism police at Gatwick Airport after arriving in London from Moscow via Abu Dhabi, in what authorities described as an ongoing security matter. The incident prompted swift comment from the Workers Party of Britain, which is led by George Galloway, with the party asserting the arrests amounted to politically motivated intimidation and saying police have not disclosed information about the arrests.

The couple were detained around 11 a.m. local time, according to the party, and officers passed a message to party colleagues indicating they were in custody but offered no information about the pair’s wellbeing, rights, or any potential charges. The statement from the party said attempts to obtain details from police had been unsuccessful.

Authorities later released the two individuals without any charges, a development confirmed by the party and reported by observers familiar with the case. The Workers Party of Britain said the release did not come with an explanation of the underlying reasons for the detention and reiterated calls for transparency from law enforcement.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the party described the arrests as politically motivated intimidation and demanded the immediate release of its leaders while urging supporters to amplify the message. Police and airport officials have offered limited public remarks, saying only that there is an ongoing investigation and that additional information would be released when available.

The Daily Mail reported on the episode, citing the arrest as the latest episode involving counter-terrorism authorities at a busy international gateway. The report noted that Galloway has been a high-profile figure in UK politics for years and that his party is a minor but persistent presence in the political landscape.

There was no immediate confirmation from police about the exact nature of the investigation or the reasons for detaining the couple, and as of this reporting, no charges had been announced. The incident underscores ongoing scrutiny of counter-terrorism measures at airports and other major transit hubs, where authorities say incidents are reviewed promptly to determine whether criminal offences have occurred.

As the story develops, officials have cautioned that additional details are still being verified and that updates will be issued as information becomes available. The individuals involved have a long history in British politics and public life, and the episode has drawn attention to the balance between security duties and civil rights at points of entry and exit.