CTV.ca | Blair promises investigation into 'abuse' video

CTV.ca Blair promises investigation into 'abuse' video

Blair promises investigation into 'abuse' video
Updated Sun. Feb. 12 2006 10:40 AM ET
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CTV.ca News Staff
British Prime Minister Tony Blair promised a full investigation into allegations of abuse by British troops in Iraq.
Tabloid newspaper the News of the World released a video that it claimed shows British troops abusing Iraqi civilians.
The footage, which appears to show soldiers beating young Iraqi civilians, has aired on British television stations.
"We take seriously any allegation of mistreatment and these will be investigated very fully indeed," said Blair on Sunday from South Africa, where he is attending a summit on poverty and development.
British military police said they are also investigating the allegations.
The footage, shot two years ago, starts off with a group of young people throwing stones. It then shows some military personnel leading several members of the crowd to an enclosed area where the apparent beating begins.
The tape then allegedly shows troops using their fists and batons to beat the group of young Iraqis.
A British military spokesperson told the Associated Press that the allegations involve only "a tiny number" of personnel.
News of the World claimed the video was filmed in 2004 by a corporal who urged the soldiers on during the alleged attack. The newspaper said the tape was passed on by a whistleblower, whom it refused to identify.
Outrage over the video has already made its way to the top of the British government on Sunday. But Blair stressed that the "overwhelming majority" of British troops in Iraq and elsewhere behave properly and do a "great job for our country and for the wider world."
"Their presence there under United Nations resolutions, helping Iraq to become the democracy they want to be, is of fundamental importance," he said.