Blair joins criticism of BB Galloway

Tony Blair today joined growing criticism of George Galloway over his decision to take part in Celebrity Big Brother.

The Prime Minister indicated he would not be happy if a Labour MP had taken a similar decision to join the series.

Asked on GMTV “Would you fancy one of your MPs doing that?”, Mr Blair replied: “No.”

He said he had not watched the anti-war MP on Celebrity Big Brother as he had been too busy.

His remarks came as a row grew over the Respect Party MP’s appearance in the show.

Mr Galloway’s entrance into the house on Thursday night boosted ratings for the hit show.

He said his participation would be “good for politics” and he believed that politicians should use “every opportunity” to communicate with people.

But local residents in his Bethnal Green and Bow constituency have staged a protest outside his office in east London accusing him of abandoning his responsibilities and demanding he give back his MP’s pay for the time he is in the house.

An internet protest campaign – Get Back To Work, George – is calculating how much it costs taxpayers each day Mr Galloway stays inside the house. At 9am today it stood at £654 (€961).

Labour Minister for London Jim Fitzpatrick has also joined in the attacks, accusing the anti-war MP of being a “C-list politician with an A-list ego”.

On Thursday there will be a Commons debate on the £500 million Crossrail transport link which will affect the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency.

The row over Mr Galloway comes as results of the first nominations in the Celebrity Big Brother house will be revealed today.

The first eviction will take place on Friday.