UK condemns 'torture' of Iraqi prisoners

Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has condemned the alleged abuse of 170 detainees held by Iraqi security forces in Baghdad.

US and Iraqi forces discovered the malnourished inmates – some of whom appeared to have been tortured – at an interior ministry detention centre.

Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim Al-Ja’afari has ordered an investigation.

Mr Straw said he was “deeply shocked” by the evidence. He said he had raised it with the country’s vice president after being told about the claims on Monday.

“Such behaviour is totally unacceptable,” he said.

“I very much welcome the immediate investigation announced by Iraqi prime minister Ja’afari today and his confirmation that such practices are completely contrary to Iraqi government policy.

“Whoever carried out this abuse must be caught and brought to justice, regardless of rank or background. We look forward to seeing the results of this investigation as soon as possible.

“Steps must be taken to prevent this sort of incident happening again.”

Tony Blair’s human rights envoy to Iraq, Ann Clwyd, said later: “It is shocking what has happened.”

She told BBC2’s Newsnight a Sunni delegation had made allegations about abuse to her in May.

The evidence was passed to the Iraqi president and Ms Clwyd asked for an investigation.

“This has been a matter of some concern,” she said.

“We have heard these allegations. There is no human rights minister in Iraq, there is no independent organisation which can investigate claims of this kind. And there should be both those things.”

She said it was “extraordinary” that the interior minister – who was himself tortured – did not know about the alleged abuse.