George Galloway has said he will not be taking part in Parliamentary tributes to Baroness Thatcher, claiming debate is “not allowed”.
The Dundee-born Respect MP, who sparked anger by tweeting “Tramp the dirt down” after Lady Thatcher’s death, said he would be “first in the queue” if debate was allowed.
But “the House of Commons authorities” would not allow debate in the session, which has been called during Easter recess, Mr Galloway claimed.
Asked if he would be attending, he said: “I understand it is not a debate, so no.
“If it were a debate about the legacy of Margaret Thatcher I would be first in the queue for prayers. It is a state-organised eulogy.”
Speaking from the Netherlands, Mr Galloway claimed dissent or debate was “not allowed” during the Commons session.
“It is not allowed, it is not a debate,” he said.
Asked where he had heard that debate was prohibited, he said “from the horse’s mouth in the House of Commons authorities”, but refused to go into details.
“It is a series of tributes at public expense – vast public expense if everyone turns up,” Mr Galloway said.
“It is enough to make you sick. It is vast public expense for a bunch of fanatics on the Tory side and hypocrites on the Labour side who shed crocodile tears.
“At least half the country hated and despised her but you have to show ‘respect’.”
A large number of Labour MPs are expected to attend the Commons to pay tribute to Baroness Thatcher, a senior party source said.
The source said: “We expect large numbers of Labour MPs to attend what will be a major parliamentary occasion.
“Ed Miliband made clear his position yesterday. Lady Thatcher was a huge figure in British politics and the world stage. While she might have been a controversial figure, we respect her personal achievements and political strength.”
Labour MP John Mann, who represents the former mining community of Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire, said he would not attend Parliament tomorrow as he would be at the dentist.
He said: “I would have done it on Monday when Parliament reassembles. I do not know why we are wasting taxpayers’ money on an additional session.
“It is perfectly valid that, when a prime minister dies, MPs can pay tribute, but this could be perfectly properly done on Monday.”
Tory MP Mark Pritchard, who represents The Wrekin in Shropshire, said he would be travelling down to London for tomorrow’s session, which starts at 2.30pm.
He said: “I am sure that colleagues will be returning from far-flung places. It will be a very good turn-out to respect the impact that Lady Thatcher had, not only on British history, but global history.
“I think there have been a number of people who have shown a lack of graciousness and sense of political timing by making ill-informed, unnecessary and emotive remarks. This is a time to show respect to one of Britain’s greatest prime ministers.”