George Galloway signs deal for children's book series

Former MP George Galloway is to author a children’s book series set amongst the Spice islands of Indonesia during colonial rule.

Galloway announced on Twitter that he has just signed a deal to publish a children’s book series titled Red Molucca the Good Pirate illustrated by Joe Cook. However, he is so far declining to reveal which publisher he has signed with.

He said:

The stories will be set amongst the Spice islands of Indonesia during colonial rule, according to the BBC.

Galloway said: "I will shortly have four children under ten years old and I have four young grandchildren too, ranging from three to 14. They read and I've bought (and read to them) a lot of children's books. All have been fascinated by pirates. Judging by the success of Pirates of the Caribbean so are many adults!"

He added that the "rum-drinking, cut-throat, walking the plank-type" characters were not the right role models.

"Enter an ethical pirate, Red Molucca," he said. "A husband and father whose family (and dog) pirate alongside him. A kind of Robin Hood of the high seas."

Illustrator Joe Cook told the BBC that the final style of the books is "top secret".

"I got involved because George represents an under-reported and undervalued perspective on the world. The project is great fun too!" he said.

Galloway did not name the publisher or publication date.

Galloway is the author of three books: I’m Not The Only One (Penguin), Fidel Castro Handbook (M Q Publications) and Mr Galloway Goes to Washington (The New Press).

Galloway was the Labour MP for Glasgow Hillhead and then Glasgow Kelvin from 1987 to 2005. He was expelled from the party in 2003 for bringing the party into disrepute. In 2005, he became a member of the Respect party and became an MP for Bethnal Green & Bow and then in Bradford West, but lost his seat at the last general election.