Mr Galloway is taking legal action after allegedly libellous video footage was uploaded on YouTube and made accessible for up to 23 days.

The footage was recorded during a protest outside an event called “Saturday Night with George Galloway” in Belfast’s Ulster Hall and includes claims that Mr Galloway was “encouraging terrorism”.

Mr Galloway’s solicitor, Kevin Winters of Belfast firm KRW Law, said it was a “massive result for our client”.

He added: “It represents a first time judicial intervention in what is a complex and evolving area of law to force YouTube to remove scandalous material.

“This was a bitterly contested application but the Ruling now allows him to proceed to the next stage in his action”.

Mr Galloway said: “Tax dodging global corporations like Google act like they are a law onto themselves. The court has just demonstrated otherwise. I would like to thank my whole legal team whose dedication and skill has proved decisive.”

Mr Galloway’s action for damages will resume in the new term.