Controversial socialist MP George Galloway has been accused by the Green Party of discrediting the international anti-war movement through his appearance on a "freak show" reality television programme.
Green Party Chairman John Gormley
Green Party chairman John Gormley has criticised Mr Galloway's recent "demeaning" behaviour in Channel Four's Celebrity Big Brotherhouse and said he could not see how it was supposed to help the anti-war movement.
Well-known for his trenchant criticism of the war in Iraq, Mr Galloway says he entered the house to show the large potential audience "what I'm really like".
However, the Dublin TD said that Mr Galloway "is demeaning himself and discrediting the anti-war movement" by taking part.
"As an experienced politician George should know that recorded shows hand the initiative to the editor. I say all this because I believe Mr Galloway has contributed enormously to the anti-war movement.
"How all of this is supposed to help this movement is beyond me. Mr Galloway should cut his losses immediately and get out of this freak show," Mr Gormley concluded.
Mr Galloway has been at the centre of fierce criticism in Britain since he entered the Big Brotherhouse on January 5th. Late last week, the British government's chief whip, Hilary Armstrong, called on him to "respect his constituents, not his ego" and return to work.