Prison abuse images shocked the world

The government has admitted that British military personnel were based in the Baghdad jail where US troops abused Iraqi prisoners.

Questioned in the Commons, armed forces minister Adam Ingram said three UK soldiers had been stationed there, but had reported no evidence of brutality taking place.

He added that the troops had reported their experiences in Abu Ghraib prison back up the chain of command.

The revelation prompted Conservative defence spokesman Keith Simpson to call for the publication of their reports.

And backbencher Edward Leigh expressed incredulity that the three UK soldiers had seen no wrong doing at a prison where the US has admitted there was a systematic failure of leadership.

Asked by Simpson whether there were British personnel based in the prison and whether they reported back to any senior military commander, Ingram responded: "Yes and yes."

"They always report back on the work they are doing," said the minister, accusing Simpson of assuming any reports were adverse.

Pressed on whether they were indeed adverse, the minister said the soldiers "report on all matters which are brought to their attention and to the best of my information...no, they were not adverse reports".

He later added: "They did not observe what the honourable gentleman is alluding to."

Simpson said it was "absolutely crucial" to establish what ministers knew.

And Conservative backbencher Edward Leigh said it was "a very important point" that had been conceded by the government.

"We now know that we had our own people in this prison where there was widespread abuse but apparently our own people told their superiors nothing of what was going on," Leigh said.

"This beggars belief.  What were they doing there? Is this some sort of, dare I use the word, some sort of cover up?

"We need to know more, we need to receive these reports. It is a very important point."

Simpson said the government should publish the reports from the soldiers "to prove that not only were the British military personnel there but that as far as they know they didn't see any atrocities taking place and of course were not directly involved in such things themselves".