Blair promises Iraq abuse probe but defends troops

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday insisted that the latest allegations of abuse of Iraqis by British troops would probed “very fully indeed”.

But he insisted the overwhelming majority of British troops behaved properly and deserved the "fullest support" for their role in Iraq.

The British Ministry of Defence launched an urgent investigation after the News of the World obtained a video which appears to show a brutal beating.

The newspaper said the footage was filmed during street riots in Basra in 2004.

Mr Blair said: "We take seriously any allegations of mistreatment and those will be investigated very fully indeed."

Speaking at a press conference in South Africa where he is attending a summit of centre-left leaders, he said: "Their presence there, under a United Nations resolution, helping Iraqis become the democracy they want to become is of fundamental importance, not just to the security in Iraq but to the security of my country, Britain, and the wider international community.

"Any allegations of mistreatment we investigate, but they deserve our fullest support in the work they are doing."

A MoD spokesperson said the Royal Military Police had started looking into the allegations as a matter of urgency.

The video allegedly shows the troops dragging four young protesters off a street and into an army compound. The cameraman is said to be heard laughing and saying: "Oh yes! Oh yes! You're gonna get it. Yes, naughty little boys. You little f***ers, you little f***ers. Die. Ha ha."

The tape shows a minute's worth of the attack , with 42 blows counted, according to the newspaperr. It said the tape was handed over by a whistleblower.

The footage also allegedly shows a British soldier twice kicking a dead Iraqi in the face.