Respect MP George Galloway has branded an investigation into remarks he made declaring Bradford "an Israel-free zone" an "extremely expensive waste of police time" after it was announced he will not be prosecuted.
The comments, made by the Bradford West MP in August, caused an outcry on social media and complaints were made to West Yorkshire Police.
Yesterday, the force said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) did not believe there was sufficient evidence to support charges but also said it had logged it as a "hate incident".
But Mr Galloway, a former Glasgow MP, said he stood by his remarks and blamed an ultra-Zionist vendetta on him for prompting the police investigation. Chief Superintendent Paul Money, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "West Yorkshire Police received a number of complaints about the content of a speech made by Bradford MP George Galloway on August 2 this year. A full investigation has been carried out, which included Mr Galloway being voluntarily interviewed under caution.
"A file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on whether any offences had been committed and they have now concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support any charges.
"West Yorkshire Police always takes complaints of hate offences seriously and wants victims and witnesses to come forward with confidence knowing that any reported incidents will be thoroughly investigated.
"West Yorkshire Police has recorded this matter as a hate incident.
"A hate incident is any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by prejudice or hate towards a person's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity."
Mr Galloway said: "This has been an extremely expensive waste of police and CPS time forced on them by ultra-Zionists who were pursuing a vendetta against me."
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