Troops face new Iraqi abuse probe

Military authorities are considering prosecuting British soldiers for abusing Iraqi civilians within the last four weeks.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that troops had allegedly been involved in at least one serious incident, even after Amnesty International and the Red Cross reports brought the issue to the fore last month.

An MoD spokesman said the case had been referred for possible prosecution: "It is at the level of the Army Prosecuting Authority. We are awaiting the outcome."

He confirmed that the incident had taken place since May 4, when pictures of prisoner abuse by US troops put the issue of mistreatment of Iraqis in the headlines.

The new investigation is one of 14 begun since May and announced in a Commons written answer by the armed forces minister Adam Ingram last night.

It brings the number of cases in which prosecutions are being considered to eight. No charges have been brought.

Mr Ingram said the 14 investigations could be "principally attributed to the high operational tempo over the last month." Arab TV stat ions have accused British troops of abusing civilians in Amarah during recent clashes with members of Muqtada al-Sadr's rebel Mahdi Army.

Mr Ingram also admitted that the number of investigations launched before May 4 had been almost double the figure that ministers previously disclosed. The Tories said the Government had "misled" the House.