The government will today seek to combat claims of brutality against Iraqi prisoners by dismissing the photographs published by a leading tabloid newspaper.

Armed forces minister Adam Ingram is today expected to tell MPs that pictures of alleged Iraqi abuse published in the Daily Mirror have been found to be fake.

The statement, which follows an investigation into the images, is likely to come during a defence debate later today.

Despite the veracity of the images, ministers have conceded that some British troops may have engaged in violence against detainees.

But the goverment will repeat its denial that ministers had been aware of the allegations before action was taken to investigate the claims.

Tony Blair has said he had no early warning about claims that British troops abused Iraqi prisoners.

Speaking in the Commons, the prime minister also rejected suggestions that the UK's armed forces were involved in the "systematic abuse of detainees".

Under close questioning from opposition leader Michael Howard, Blair denied that the government had over-looked allegations of abuse.

The prime minister used a solemn exchange with Howard to "condemn completely and unequivocally" the abuse of detainees.

He said any brutality was "completely unacceptable" but denied that ministers had ignored warnings from human rights groups.

Questioned on when he became aware of a Red Cross report handed to representatives of his special envoy in Iraq, Blair said: "I first saw it on Monday. I did not know of the allegations that were in the Red Cross report at the time."

The prime minister went on to say that the report "was not passed to ministers in February".

"Let me point out the incidents of abuse involving British troops were already being investigated," he added.

Report questions

Howard said London was made aware of the allegations in late February.

"Of course we are all immensely proud of what British troops are doing in Iraq," he said.

"But the prime minister has failed to give any explanation for why he did not see this crucial report which was presented to his special envoy in Iraq for nearly three months.

"I am afraid that the country will conclude that there is no sensible explanation for that fact."

"Iraq is by far the most sensitive and difficult challenge facing the country. People want to know that their government has a grip on what it is doing and what is going on."

Howard also slammed ministerial confusion about the importance of the Red Cross report.

"The armed forces minister says he has never seen it. The defence secretary says he wouldn't have expected to see it," Howard said.

"The foreign secretary says he should have seen it but he didn't and the prime minister, to whose special envoy the report was given, says he knew nothing about it."

'Political mischief'

The prime minister was dismissive of the attack.

"The explanation for not seeing it has already been given. That is because in respect of the issues concerning Britain and detainees in British custody, these issues had already been dealt with," he said.

"When he attempts to extract the maximum political mischief, let nobody be in any doubt at all that the difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is this.

"It is not that in a democracy bad things do not happen, it is that when they do happen action is taken."

"I think now is the time to support the work our troops are doing."

But Howard said the prime minister had lost his grip.

"How can the people of the country have confidence in this prime minister and his government?" he asked.

'Grotesque reports'

The Liberal Democrat leader also expressed his concern at the government's handling of the latest revelations from Iraq.

Charles Kennedy said the Red Cross report was the culmination of a series of warnings dating back to April 2003.

And he said there was "huge and mounting concern about these grotesque reports that have been coming out of Iraq".

The prime minister replied that where issued had been raised "we have dealt with them".

He accepted that recent events had been "immensely damaging", but added: "The vast majority of those troops are doing a superb job in helping people in Iraq."

Signalling that he was now under great pressure on Iraq, Blair conceded that the coalition was still facing real problems.

But he reminded MPs of the alternative to the conflict.

"I am the prime minister who has brought this situation about and I will defend this position," he said.

Blair went on to call on MPs to "listen to Iraqi voices on this issue".

"They are delighted that they have been liberated from Saddam Hussein," he said.

The prime minister said that the UK had “security strategy” and a “political process” which would ensure that peace and self government was achieved.