George Galloway MP has handed over £25,000 in cash to Ismail Haniya, the prime minister of Palestine, as a symbol of EU sanctions breaking.

"The money will go to help the long suffering people of Gaza," said Galloway.

"But the most important point is that this is in breach of the EU sanctions regime which has caused so much unnecessary hardship here. There is no jury anywhere in Britain or Europe that would convict me of a crime however.

"Instead it is the policies of the British and European Union governments that would be convicted."

Yesterday over 100 Viva Palestina vehicles laden with aid crossed into Gaza from Egypt after making a 5,000 mile, 23 day journey from Britain. They were met with a rapturous reception the length and breadth of Gaza.

George Galloway repeated the message: "The people of Gaza are not alone, we are all Palestinians now."

The more than 300 people who took part in the convoy are expected to return to Britain in the next few days.