Saddam gave money to MPs

last updated 8 January 2015

London

British members of Parliament used money that Saddam Hussein stole from the U.N. oil-for-food program to lobby for the lifting of sanctions against Iraq, the London Guardian reported this week. Cash from oil deals went to three businessmen who supported anti-war groups run by former member of Parliament George Galloway and current member Tam Dalyell. Both men were strong critics of Britain’s Iraq policy, but it’s unclear whether they knew of the illegal contributions. Under the oil-for-food plan, Saddam was allowed to sell oil to pay for food and medicine for the Iraqi people. But the plan was poorly regulated, and the Iraqi dictator diverted much of the money for his own ends.