Controversial MP and Big Brother star George Galloway, who recently pretended to be a cat on the Channel 4 programme, has postponed an appearance in Sussex because of another engagement.

The Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow was due to appear at Lewes Town Hall this coming Saturday for a question and answer session.

Bob Perry, who was helping promote the event in Lewes, confirmed the politician was unable to attend.

He said: "We are trying to find a date later in the year when he could come instead. I have no idea what the other engagement is. Obviously there are things happening in his schedule now that weren't when we booked this."

He said the tour dates were organised shortly after Mr Galloway's appearance in front of the US Senate last May to counter charges he had profited from Iraqi oil deals an allegation he has always denied.

The rebel MP, who was expelled from the Labour party over his outspoken comments against the Iraq war in 2003, formed his own Respect party and won his London seat from Labour in last year's election.

In 2004 he won £150,000 libel damages from the Daily Telegraph for alleging he received money from Saddam Hussein's regime.

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