Hoon: Commons statement

Geoff Hoon has come out fighting following claims that the government failed to act on reports of abuse by coalition forces in Iraq.

While he expressed regret at the actions "of a very few", the defence secretary said the vast majority of UK forces were working for the good of Iraqis.

For the Conservatives, shadow defence secretary Nicholas Soames said ministers' response had been "part and parcel of their fundamental and tragic incompetence" in the overall post-conflict management of Iraq.

Hoon said the MoD had engaged in "thorough and detailed investigations" of the claims of torture and abuse made by the Daily Mirror.

And in what could be a blow to Mirror editor Piers Morgan, the minister said there were "strong indications that the vehicle in which the photographs were taken were not in Iraq".

Despite claims that the International Committee of the Red Cross had repeatedly warned ministers of the brutality against Iraqi prisoners, Hoon denied that he had ignored warnings from NGOs.

For the Liberal Democrats, defence spokesman Paul Keetch said "wrong-doing if proven must be punished".

And he went on to demand to know when ministers became aware of the allegations.

"If the armed forces minister had not read this report, did he know of its existence?" he asked.

Tory MP John Maples also said the defence secretary should get a "personal grip" on the issue.

'Generally satisfied'

Hoon also insisted that the ICRC "are generally satisfied" with the approach taken by British forces.

The defence secretary said British forces were showing a determination to "continue to serve their country with great distinction in Iraq and around the world".

But he insisted that the government would bring the full force of the law to bear on those responsible for any abuses.

"We are not in any way complacent about such allegations," he told MPs.

The defence secretary said six investigations into alleged abuse were currently on-going - with 15 already having been investigated and discounted.

But in order to show that the MoD was set to get tough he went on to inform MPs that in two cases decisions on legal action were imminent.

"We unreservedly apologise to any Iraqis where the evidence shows they have been mistreated," he added.

Brutality 'deplored'

Questioned ahead of the announcement, the prime minister denied that ministers had been aware of all the allegations.

"In respect of any activity that is in breach of the Geneva convention, I utterly deplore it," Tony Blair said.

His comments followed his apology to those mistreated at the hands of UK troops.

Speaking during a trip to France this weekend, the prime minister said: "We apologise deeply to anyone who has been mistreated by any of our soldiers. That is absolutely and totally unacceptable."

Reports sent

Ahead of the statement, it was confirmed that a Red Cross report detailing the abuse of prisoners was sent to ministers earlier this year.

Speaking on Sunday a Red Cross spokesman confirmed that it had raised concerns about the treatment of those being held in Iraq.

"The concern we have been expressing for a year now deals with a general pattern of mistreatment of detainees," said Roland Huguenin-Benjamin.

"What we are tackling in our reports is the overall treatment of prisoners in general in camps under coalition forces in Iraq.

"We were warning of the fact that the treatment given to prisoners and in particular the way they were prepared for interrogation is not acceptable from the point of view of the Geneva Convention."