Iraq prisoner abuse tally grows

Nearly 50 British servicemen face prosecution for murder, assault and other crimes committed in Iraq, according to secret military documents seen by the Sunday Telegraph.

The allegations include two cases in which Iraqi civilians were allegedly deliberately drowned by soldiers and an incident that could lead to the first member of the SAS being charged with murder.

General Sir Mike Jackson, the Chief of the General Staff, has announced that a senior officer would conduct a wide-ranging inquiry into the crimes committed by troops in Iraq. This followed the sentencing at a court martial in Germany of three soldiers who abused Iraqi detainees.

The documents show that almost three times as many soldiers face charges than had been admitted by the Ministry of Defence.