WEST Yorkshire Police is considering a new report arising from an escalating libel dispute involving Bradford West MP George Galloway.

The revelation comes little more than 24 hours after the force wrote to Mr Galloway and his Bradford-based legal team to say it will not be investigating initial allegations of fraud and blackmail made against them saying it was a civil matter.

Last month, Chambers Solicitors, acting on behalf of Mr Galloway, sent about 12 Twitter users "pre-action" letters warning of possible legal proceedings regarding comments made about the Respect MP on the social media site.

Chambers said Tweets accusing Mr Galloway of being anti-Semitic were untrue and libellous. The company also included a list of "required actions" which could lead to court proceedings if not complied with - including the payment of £5,000 legal costs, plus VAT, incurred by the firm.

Defamation specialist lawyer Mark Lewis, of Seddons, represents three of those who received letters. He reported the politician and Chambers to police.

West Yorkshire Police wrote to Mr Galloway and the Grattan Road-based law firm on Thursday, saying "after careful consideration" it concluded the matter is for the "civil and/or regulatory arena" and it would not undertake a criminal investigation.

But a police spokesman last night said: "Since the letter was sent, a further report has been made in respect of these matters.

"This further information is currently being considered by West Yorkshire Police in accordance with the National Crime Recording Standard."

Mr Lewis, who represented the Dowler family in its phone-hacking claims against News Corporation, has also referred Chambers to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The SRA has also received complaints from others about Chambers.

SRA executive director Robert Loughlin said: "Now that we are aware of the matter, we will be looking to obtain all necessary information before deciding on the appropriate course of action."

Chambers, which has appointed libel specialists Carter-Ruck, has not been sent the legal fees it demanded in its letters, meaning Mr Galloway will foot the bill himself, or pursue further action as threatened.

Yesterday, Mr Galloway's spokesman, Ron McKay, would not say if court proceedings would now be issued, confirming only that negotiations were ongoing.

But he did reiterate anyone thought to have defamed Mr Galloway with allegations which were "palpably and demonstrably untrue" would be pursued.

Chambers and Carter-Ruck would not comment to the T&A.

The letters have led to some fearful Twitter users closing their accounts, but other people have instead goaded Mr Galloway online.

QCs regarded as being respected in their field have been offering advice and a Twitter account, @SuedbyGalloway, was also set-up to offer help. It has spoken to seven people who received letters.

An @SuedbyGalloway spokesman said: "Many have been left traumatised with the threat of further legal costs, compensation for Mr Galloway and the possibility of being made bankrupt."

One person who received a letter, who would not be named, said he stood by his comments and hoped the matter would soon be closed. He also questioned the £5,000 legal costs, which were previously partly put down to the cost of tracking people down.

"I rang a friend of mine and asked 'can you see how long it takes to find my postal and my email address starting from my Twitter account?'

"It took him ten minutes," he said, adding he was stunned to receive the letter.

"My initial reaction to be perfectly honest, was disbelief. I almost laughed at the time," he added.