Galloway complains over 'fake sheikh'

George Galloway has lodged a complaint with the police and the Speaker of the House of Commons claiming he had been the victim of the News of the World's notorious "fake sheikh".

Mr Galloway, the controversial anti-Iraq war MP and leader of the Respect coalition, alleged he was offered illicit funds by two journalists working for the Sunday newspaper.

Mazher Mahmood, an undercover reporter at the News of the World, can claim Sven Goran Eriksson, the England football manager, and the Duchess of Wessex among his many victims. He fools unsuspecting targets into indiscretions by dressing up as a mega-wealthy Arab prince.

But the MP for Bethnal Green and Bow said of the latest "sting": "This was a blatant and outrageous attempt to suborn a member of Parliament. But it was so heavy handed that I immediately smelt a rat. The two claimed to be Muslims, but were ignorant of Muslim customs and practices."

Mr Galloway accused the newspaper of attempting to incite corruption and called on it to release the recordings of the encounter in the Dorchester hotel in London. He said he was considering releasing a photograph of the reporter, who seeks to conceal his identity for fear of reprisals.