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| MoD probes new Iraq abuse claims | MoD probes new Iraq abuse claims |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Ministry of Defence has said it is investigating new allegations of abuse by the UK military in Iraq. | The Ministry of Defence has said it is investigating new allegations of abuse by the UK military in Iraq. |
| Lawyers acting for former Iraqi detainees are calling for a full public inquiry into all abuse claims made during UK military involvement there. | Lawyers acting for former Iraqi detainees are calling for a full public inquiry into all abuse claims made during UK military involvement there. |
| One allegation is that two soldiers raped a 16-year-old boy in 2003. | One allegation is that two soldiers raped a 16-year-old boy in 2003. |
| Armed forces minister Bill Rammell said such claims were taken seriously but formal inquiries must be held "without judgements being made prematurely". | Armed forces minister Bill Rammell said such claims were taken seriously but formal inquiries must be held "without judgements being made prematurely". |
| "Allegations of this nature are taken very seriously. However allegations must not be taken as fact," he said. | "Allegations of this nature are taken very seriously. However allegations must not be taken as fact," he said. |
| Mr Rammell told the BBC "about seven of them have come in within the last month". | |
| "The rest of them are cases that date back significantly beyond that period and they are being investigated. Any allegation of abuse is taken with the utmost seriousness." | "The rest of them are cases that date back significantly beyond that period and they are being investigated. Any allegation of abuse is taken with the utmost seriousness." |
| 'Sexually humiliated' | 'Sexually humiliated' |
| A public inquiry is already under way into the death of Iraqi civilian Baha Mousa, who died in British custody with 93 separate injuries. | A public inquiry is already under way into the death of Iraqi civilian Baha Mousa, who died in British custody with 93 separate injuries. |
| A report by the Independent newspaper said 33 cases of alleged abuse had now come to light. | A report by the Independent newspaper said 33 cases of alleged abuse had now come to light. |
| One claimant alleges he was raped by two British soldiers, while others say they were stripped naked, abused and photographed, the Independent said. | One claimant alleges he was raped by two British soldiers, while others say they were stripped naked, abused and photographed, the Independent said. |
| Another detainee said that when he was arrested he was kicked and hit, and an electric baton was used on parts of his body. | Another detainee said that when he was arrested he was kicked and hit, and an electric baton was used on parts of his body. |
| While there have been instances when individuals have behaved badly, only a tiny number of individuals have been shown to have fallen short of our high standards Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell | While there have been instances when individuals have behaved badly, only a tiny number of individuals have been shown to have fallen short of our high standards Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell |
| A fellow Iraqi, detained in 2006, claimed he was sexually humiliated. | A fellow Iraqi, detained in 2006, claimed he was sexually humiliated. |
| The lawyers said that since the British withdrawal from Basra in the summer, they had heard a host of allegations of abuse dating back to 2003. | The lawyers said that since the British withdrawal from Basra in the summer, they had heard a host of allegations of abuse dating back to 2003. |
| A legal letter was given to the MoD last week by the Iraqis' lawyer, Phil Shiner. | A legal letter was given to the MoD last week by the Iraqis' lawyer, Phil Shiner. |
| The newspaper reports the letter as raising concerns about claims of sexual humiliation. | The newspaper reports the letter as raising concerns about claims of sexual humiliation. |
| Mr Rammell added: "Over 120,000 British troops have served in Iraq and the vast, vast majority have conducted themselves to the highest standards of behaviour, displaying integrity and selfless commitment," he said. | Mr Rammell added: "Over 120,000 British troops have served in Iraq and the vast, vast majority have conducted themselves to the highest standards of behaviour, displaying integrity and selfless commitment," he said. |
| "While there have been instances when individuals have behaved badly, only a tiny number of individuals have been shown to have fallen short of our high standards." | "While there have been instances when individuals have behaved badly, only a tiny number of individuals have been shown to have fallen short of our high standards." |