Galloway may face probe by Scotland Yard

George Galloway could face an investigation by Scotland Yard if British diplomats conclude that there is a case for action in the wake of fresh Iraqi oil allegations, it emerged today.

The Foreign Office said that it had launched an urgent review of a US Senate sub-committee's claims that Saddam Hussein's regime granted Mr Galloway rights to sell up to £268 million worth of oil.

The Charity Commission also confirmed that it was considering a fresh look at its own probe into a charity set up by the former Labour MP, which American senators have claimed was used to conceal payments from Iraq.

A Foreign Office spokesman told the Standard today: "We want to see if there is evidence that will require us to take further action."

The Charity Commission first investigated Mr Galloway's leukemia charity, the Mariam Appeal, last year, but decided to take no action. A spokesman said: "We are currently reviewing the findings of our previous inquiry."

The Respect MP has vowed to fly to Washington next week to testify before the sub-committee.