British troops mistreated nine Iraqi detainees following a fierce battle a decade ago, but false allegations of murder and torture were the product of “deliberate lies, reckless speculation and ingrained hostility”, a judge-led inquiry has found.

Bodies of insurgents killed in a battle in Iraq were not mutilated by British troops, nor were detainees mistreated, a public inquiry has heard.

Graphic pictures of dead Iraqis, some showing signs of alleged torture at the hands of British troops, were shown at the opening of a public inquiry.

Up to 20 Iraqi civilians may have been executed by British troops in southern Iraq, it was claimed today.