Blair orders probe into Iraq abuse allegations

By Ben Hall

Tony Blair promised a full investigation into fresh allegations of abuse of Iraqis by British troops after a Sunday newspaper obtained a video apparently showing soldiers beating a group of youths.

The Ministry of Defence launched an urgent probe after the News of the World published images from the video of soldiers kicking, punching and striking young civilians with batons. The newspaper said the incident was filmed during street riots in Basra in early 2004.

The allegations of brutal treatments are a further blow to the reputation of UK forces, following the conviction last year of three soldiers for abusing Iraqi civilians. The images, which have been broadcast on Iraqi television, are likely to stoke tensions between Iraqi civilians and foreign troops.

Speaking on a visit to South Africa, Mr Blair said: “We take seriously any allegations of mistreatment and those will be investigated very fully indeed.” But he added that “the overwhelming majority of British troops, in Iraq as elsewhere, behave properly, are doing a great job for our country and for the wider world”.

The video appears to show soldiers dragging young Iraqis into a compound and then beating them while the cameraman urges them on.

An army official said the images were “extremely disturbing” and would be investigated urgently. But a military spokesman in Basra, where most of the 8,000 troops in Iraq are based, said the allegations related to only a “tiny minority” of the 80,000 personnel who had served in Iraq.

Photographs of US troops humiliating prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in 2003 caused worldwide revulsion.

Jeremy Corbyn, a leftwing Labour MP and critic of the Iraq war, called for troops alleged to be involved to be suspended. “I think it’s awful and I think it will cause a lot of trouble in Iraq and I think it will also emphasise the whole point that the continued presence of British and American forces in Iraq are part of the problem, not the solution.’’

The Conservatives said: “The actions of a tiny minority must not be allowed to taint the reputation of the armed forces, who have done a magnificent job in Iraq in difficult circumstances”. Liam Fox, shadow defence secretary, said: “Political and media reaction must be proportionate and should make clear that whilst this type of behaviour can never be tolerated, it is not typical of the conduct of British troops.’’

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