Backing Galloway

Two words I'm sure you never thought you'd see on this blog in that order I'm sure! Nonetheless, although not fully aware of all the facts involved, I am instinctively firmly on George Galloway's side, as well as other realms of the blogosphere, in his battle to unmask the "fake sheikh" reporter for the News of the World, Mazher Mahmood.

Guido covers some of the story here, but it's set out more clearly in the Grauniad here and the Times (another News International publication, mind) here. News International yesterday got a court order to restrain publication of his picture until the resolution of a full hearing today, scheduled for 4pm. That, in the High Court, just over the road from here, has yet to finish so I understand the order has been extended to 5pm. If he wishes to try stings on with politicians and even football managers then he has to run the risk of the tables being turned in this way. He will no doubt argue his safety is in danger if pictures are published of him as he has been involved, allegedly, in crime-busting undercover work. Shouldn't he have thought of this before he turned, maliciously, to more spurious targets though? How is his picture alone, readily available anyway on the internet, going to allow him to be tracked down?

Surely any criminals he has stitched up are going to know what he looks like anyway?

We'll really see now just how easily News International will throw around legal proceedings themselves...

UPDATE: And an oblique reference in the Guardian.