The George Galloway/Torygraph libel trial is obviously going to be a complete hoot. Its in its first day, and already we’ve had the following gems:
(a) Galloway praised Saddam “by accident” according to his silk, Richard Rampton QC.
“he put his foot in his mouth by making some remarks which were open to interpretation – and needless to say were interpreted – as some kind of fawning praise for Saddam Hussein’s personal courage and strength.
Those remarks, as we all remember, were:
“Sir, I salute your courage, your strength, your indefatigability”
Says Rampton:
“It wasn’t what he meant to say, it was not in his mind to say, because he had no respect or admiration for Saddam Hussein whatsoever.”
Indeed not!
(b) Galloway thought there were weapons of mass destruction
Saddam Hussein told Mr Galloway he did not have any weapons of mass destruction.
“Mr Galloway did not believe him. As we now know, Saddam Hussein was telling the truth,” Mr Rampton added.
I have a feeling that this is going to be quite funny.