The parliamentary ceremony comes after Galloway — a former Labour MP who was kicked out of the party in the 2000s — won the Rochdale by-election, defeating Labour in a previously-safe seat on a stridently pro-Gaza ticket.
After swearing allegiance to the monarch Monday, Galloway shook hands with Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, before departing to address journalists waiting outside the Westminster parliament.
He was accompanied by Bottomley and Hanvey — both political rivals — as part of the parliamentary process that requires two “sponsors” for MPs elected through a by-election. Galloway initially said he hoped to be sponsored by the former Labour leader and fellow left-winger Jeremy Corbyn.
Following his win in Rochdale, Galloway — whose views on Israel and foreign policy have at times courted controversy — vowed to raise the plight of Palestinians Gaza in parliament and to be a thorn in the side of Labour.
Speaking Monday morning on his way to parliament, Galloway said he “always loved the [parliament] building.”
“The people in it, not quite so much,” he added.
