George Galloway and wife briefly detained under terrorism powers at Gatwick Airport

London, UK – Veteran political figure George Galloway and his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, were detained this morning by counterterrorism officers at Gatwick Airport, under provisions of Schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.

Under Schedule 3, officers may stop, question, search, and detain arriving individuals to assess whether they have engaged in “hostile activity.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed:

“Counterterrorism officers at Gatwick Airport stopped a man in his seventies and a woman in her forties under Schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. Neither of them were arrested and they were allowed on their way.”

As of now, no formal charges have been disclosed, and both Galloway and his wife have been released.

Legal Framework & Contested Boundaries

Schedule 3 encourages “examination” of individuals arriving at UK ports to determine whether they may have been engaged in hostile activities. This can include requiring the disclosure of passwords, and retaining, copying or destroying items found in a search.

Use of such powers has been controversial in the past, with challenges around proportionality, due process, and rights of individuals during stops.
What is not yet confirmed: whether the Galloways were asked for passwords, whether their digital devices or documents were seized, or whether any materials have been retained.

Political Fallout & Reactions

The Workers Party of Britain, led by Galloway, sharply criticized the detention, calling it “politically motivated intimidation” and alleging obstruction in providing legal representation.

The party claims that the exercise of such powers risks being used against dissenters and demands transparency in how law enforcement applies anti-terror laws.

Observers and civil liberties groups are expected to scrutinize whether the stop and detention complied with procedure and respected individual rights.
What Remains Unclear & What to Watch

The grounds for suspicion (if any) that led to the detention remain undisclosed.
Whether digital or physical evidence was seized or examined is not yet known.
It is unclear whether further investigations or charges will follow.
There may be calls—both parliamentary and judicial—for oversight or review of how Schedule 3 powers are exercised.