MoD: Investigating claims

British troops have faced renewed claims of brutality towards Iraqi prisoners.

After a weekend in which the Daily Mirror's photographs of UK soldiers abusing captives made headlines around the world, the paper stepped up its allegations on Monday.

Doubts had been cast on whether the images are genuine.

But the paper said it had been told that "literally hundreds of pictures" of physical abuse had been taken.

"The Daily Mirror makes no apology for exposing this outrageous and unlawful behaviour, which has been common knowledge among disgusted British servicemen in Basra for many months," said a statement from editor Piers Morgan.

"Nor do we believe there is any reason to think that these photographs have been faked in any way at all given the powerful testimony we have received."

He added that "the vast majority of our troops in Iraq have done an outstandingly brave job in incredibly difficult circumstances".

An investigation into the claims has already begun.

Prime minister Tony Blair said that if the photos were genuine the actions they showed were "completely and totally unacceptable".

Foreign secretary Jack Straw told the BBC the scenes in the photos were "terrible" and accepted that the UK could face obligations to pay compensation.