Iraqi died after 'gratuitous violence' by UK soldiers

UK: Britain's army chief said the death of an Iraqi detainee in Basra had cast a "dark shadow" over its reputation, after an inquiry found he had suffered "gratuitous violence" at the hands of soldiers.

Hotel receptionist Baha Mousa, 26, was hooded, beatn and held in stress positions along with nine other Iraqis following their detention by 1st Battalion the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (1QLR) in September 2003, the inquiry found Thursday.

Mousa, a father of two, died 36 hours after he was arrested, having sustained 93 separate injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken nose. The three-year inquiry, led by retired judge William Gage, said numerous soldiers were involved in the abuse and he accused others of a "lack of moral courage" in failing to report what was happening.

It also said the the Ministry of Defence was guilty of a "corporate failure" to prevent such mistreatment, saying it had no proper doctrine on interrogation methods when Britain joined the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

General Peter Wall, the head of the army, offered an unreserved apology.

"The shameful circumstances of Baha Mousa's death have cast a dark shadow on that reputation and this must not happen again," he said.

Some soldiers had already been suspended from operational duty and military service, he told Friday's Guardian newspaper.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the inquiry detailed a "truly shocking and appalling incident" and he raised the possibility of further prosecutions in the case, something Mousa's family have called for.

Seven soldiers were charged over the abuse in 2005, but six were cleared in a court martial. Cameron said: "If there is further evidence that comes out of this inquiry that enables further action to be taken, it should be taken." AFP