GEORGE Galloway claims he was the "winner" after a controversial appearance on a BBC political programme.

The bullish Bradford West MP said a plan to derail his election campaign "backfired" after he was heckled by members of the audience during an appearance on BBC One's Question Time.

Mr Galloway added he was now the "bookies' favourite" to retain his seat in the city.

During the televised debate in Finchley, north London, last night, audience member Gabriel Rosen asked: “Why is anti-Semitism rising in the UK and does a certain member of the panel bear some responsibility?”

As Mr Galloway prepared to answer, audience members shouted: “You’re not welcome here.”

He then said "Am I on trial here?"

One Jewish audience member said Mr Galloway had brought the Middle East conflict to the UK by saying he was making his Bradford constituency “Israeli-free”.

Mr Galloway said: "I think Question Time was very widely watched with a much bigger audience than the show usually attracts.

"It was, as everyone could see, unbalanced.

"I did feel I was on trial. People have been complaining to the BBC.

"If the plan was to turn people against me ahead of the election, then it backfired.

"According to the bookies, I am the favourite to retain my seat in Bradford West now."