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Blair backs Saddam video inquiry Blair backs Saddam video inquiry
(about 7 hours later)
Tony Blair has endorsed an Iraqi probe into leaked video footage showing Saddam Hussein's execution.Tony Blair has endorsed an Iraqi probe into leaked video footage showing Saddam Hussein's execution.
The prime minister also gave his backing to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki - who has said he wants to quit his position early.The prime minister also gave his backing to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki - who has said he wants to quit his position early.
But Downing Street refused to endorse Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's claims that the manner of Saddam's execution was "deplorable."But Downing Street refused to endorse Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's claims that the manner of Saddam's execution was "deplorable."
A spokesperson said this was Mr Prescott's personal opinion. UK media watchdog Ofcom has launched an probe into coverage of the execution.
Mr Prescott's remarks have increased pressure on the prime minister, who is holidaying in Miami, Florida, to comment publicly on the row. It said it had received 30 complaints from viewers.
He has made no official statement despite criticism of his silence. No British broadcaster showed the actual moment that the deposed Iraqi leader was killed and not all of the broadcasters being investigated aired the taunting that took place before the execution.
'Personal' opinion
BBC One's coverage received the most complaints, 11, with eight being made about BBC News 24.
News reports on Channel 4, ITV1, Sky News and US broadcaster Fox was also the subject of complaints.
An Ofcom spokeswoman said it would announce the outcome of its inquiry in due course.
Mr Prescott's description of the footage as "deplorable" has, meanwhile, been dismissed by Downing Street as his "personal" opinion.
But the deputy prime minister's words have increased pressure on the prime minister, who was holidaying in Miami, Florida when the execution took place.
Mr Blair, who earlier returned to Downing Street, has made no official statement despite criticism of his silence.
'Grisly''Grisly'
Conservative leader David Cameron said the way the execution was handled, with Saddam's opponents taunting him on the gallows, was "quite wrong".Conservative leader David Cameron said the way the execution was handled, with Saddam's opponents taunting him on the gallows, was "quite wrong".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It was a matter for the sovereign Iraqi government how they dispense justice in their country.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It was a matter for the sovereign Iraqi government how they dispense justice in their country.
"I am not in favour, personally, of the death penalty, and, like others, I found the pictures on the television frankly pretty grisly.""I am not in favour, personally, of the death penalty, and, like others, I found the pictures on the television frankly pretty grisly."
"And I think the way it was handled, clearly with people shouting and gesticulating was quite wrong and I am glad the Iraqi authorities are going to have an investigation and a review into this.""And I think the way it was handled, clearly with people shouting and gesticulating was quite wrong and I am glad the Iraqi authorities are going to have an investigation and a review into this."
Mr Cameron said it was a matter for Tony Blair whether he commented on the execution or not.Mr Cameron said it was a matter for Tony Blair whether he commented on the execution or not.
"He probably should - but the man's having a holiday. He has a deputy prime minister who has made clear his view and I am sure the prime minister will say something shortly." He said Mr Blair "probably should" have commented but was "having a holiday" at the time.
"He has a deputy prime minister who has made clear his view and I am sure the prime minister will say something shortly," added Mr Cameron.
CondemnationCondemnation
Labour MPs, including former ministers Glenda Jackson and Peter Kilfoyle, have also criticised the lack of a public reaction from Mr Blair to the events in Baghdad.Labour MPs, including former ministers Glenda Jackson and Peter Kilfoyle, have also criticised the lack of a public reaction from Mr Blair to the events in Baghdad.
The row over the former Iraqi leader's hanging gained momentum amid reports from Baghdad that a guard present at the execution was being questioned over the footage.The row over the former Iraqi leader's hanging gained momentum amid reports from Baghdad that a guard present at the execution was being questioned over the footage.
The mobile phone images - in contrast to the official version of events - showed the former president being taunted by guards telling him to "go to hell".The mobile phone images - in contrast to the official version of events - showed the former president being taunted by guards telling him to "go to hell".
They have sparked international condemnation, with the Vatican branding the leaked footage a "spectacle" violating human rights.They have sparked international condemnation, with the Vatican branding the leaked footage a "spectacle" violating human rights.
The US authorities in Baghdad have sought to distance themselves from the scenes at Saddam's execution.The US authorities in Baghdad have sought to distance themselves from the scenes at Saddam's execution.
SupportSupport
Major General William Caldwell, the US military spokesman in Iraq, said: "Would we have done things differently? Yes we would have. But that's not our decision. That's the government of Iraq's decision." Major General William Caldwell, the US military spokesman in Iraq, said: "Would we have done things differently? Yes, we would have. But that's not our decision. That's the government of Iraq's decision."
The White House said yesterday that Mr Bush has not seen the footage and the president refused to comment on it during a Washington press conference. The White House said that Mr Bush has not seen the footage and the president refused to comment on it during a Washington press conference.
Meanwhile, Downing Street said Mr Blair backed the inquiry by the Iraqi government into what had "gone wrong" and that he fully supported Mr Maliki.Meanwhile, Downing Street said Mr Blair backed the inquiry by the Iraqi government into what had "gone wrong" and that he fully supported Mr Maliki.
The spokesperson added: "The Iraqi government is going to conduct an inquiry into the manner in which the execution was conducted. The spokeswoman added: "The Iraqi government is going to conduct an inquiry into the manner in which the execution was conducted.
"We fully support that decision and believe it is the right thing to do.""We fully support that decision and believe it is the right thing to do."
She added: "As they have said, there were obviously things that went wrong."She added: "As they have said, there were obviously things that went wrong."
The spokesperson also insisted that Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett spoke on behalf of the whole government in saying the UK was against the death penalty but that Saddam had been "held to account". The spokeswoman also insisted that Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett spoke on behalf of the whole government in saying the UK was against the death penalty but that Saddam had been "held to account".
Mr Blair's support for the Iraqi PM came after Mr Maliki said he would not seek a second term in a job he wished he could give up before even the end of the first.Mr Blair's support for the Iraqi PM came after Mr Maliki said he would not seek a second term in a job he wished he could give up before even the end of the first.