LONDON, April 23: British Prime Minister Tony Blair was treating as “serious,” allegations that a member of his ruling Labour party was in the pay of Saddam Hussein’s regime, his official spokesman said Wednesday.

Responding for the first time to reports in the Daily Telegraph newspaper that Scottish deputy George Galloway was paid more than half a million dollars a year by Saddam to promote the ousted leader’s regime, the spokesman added: “Since I believe there is a prospect of legal action, I don’t think you would expect me to comment any further at this stage.”

The Telegraph reported Wednesday that Galloway — who has been nicknamed “the MP for Baghdad Central” for his personal ties to Saddam and opposition to the US-led war on Iraq — had a request for more money turned down by the toppled leader.

The daily reported Tuesday that Galloway took a slice of Iraq’s oil earnings worth 375,000 pounds (539,000 euros, 587,500 dollars) a year, and claimed Wednesday that Saddam found the MP’s demands for additional funds unaffordable.

Saddam’s response was outlined in a memo circulated by his most senior aide to four senior figures of his regime.—AFP