Soldier arrested over Mirror hoax photos

1.00pm

LONDON - At least one soldier has been arrested over fake pictures showing alleged mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by British troops, the defence ministry says.

The photos were published in the Daily Mirror just days after similar ones were published in the United States showing US soldiers abusing prisoners, shocking the world and causing widespread anger in the Arab world.

A spokeswoman would give no further details about the arrest by the ministry's Special Investigation Branch (SIB).

"The SIB, as part of the ongoing investigation, arrested somebody to be questioned under caution," she said. "At least one person has been arrested. It is a soldier."

Four other British soldiers have been arrested and released without charge by military police probing some of the alleged cases of abuse by British troops.

The Mirror, which sacked its flamboyant editor Piers Morgan on Friday, issued a front page apology for the photos.

The paper was a harsh critic of Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision to go to war. Blair's personal ratings have sunk since the U.S-led invasion 15 months ago.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq