UK newspaper editor sacked for refusing to apologise for fake photos
Two weeks ago the UK was shocked by suppossed photos of UK troops torturing and abusing Iraqi prisoners. The photos were spread all over the front page of one of the major tabloid newspapers along with articles from 2 soldiers alleging abuse. A scandal had broken.
The UK government instigated an immediate investigation into these specific claims while stating that all previous claims had been investigated. There was widespread concern however that maybe there was some hidden problema dn that like the US there may be systematic torture going on.
Over the following days it quickly became apparent that there were problems with the photos and that they may be fake. Likewise it became apparent that the UK government was sticking strongly to it's line that all abuse allegations were being investigated the moment they were made and that no systematic abuse was occuring.
During last week the government refused to publish an amnesty international report or an international red cross report which it received and again people started to suspect the worst. Finally the reports were leaked. The Amnesty international report highlighted the cases of 37 civilians who died since 1 May 2003. These were not in prisons, but in events across the reegion and no accusation of torture or abuse were suggested. While half of these cases were already fully investigaed, some cases in particulr needed investigation. The Red Cross report did nto separate UK and US issues but 2 cases were certainly British. One involved the arresting of 9 people in Basra in September, one of whom later died. Evidence suggest these men were beaten. An investigation had started in October and the commanding officer promised those responsible would be punished. The second case was in April 2003 where the commanding officer of Umm Qasr prison was told of ill treatment by intelligence officers. This had the immediate effect of stopping the systematic use of hoods and flexi-cuffs in the interrogation section of Umm Qasr. So in all the UK government was telling the truth. All allegations were investigate when reported.
On Thursday the government revealed that the photos were indeed fake. They had been staged in the UK.
The newspaper in question refused to apologise though and last night the board of directors took the extreme step of firing the editor. Todays edition carries a full page apology. It does however continue to highlight abuse claims by 4 soldiers, all of which the Uk government says it's investigating.
So the end of a sorry affair. UK troops are vindicated of any charge of systematic torture. Though a few individual cases may indeed have occurred, the military can hold its head up high knowing that they immediately put a stop to any abuse and punished those responsible. Sadly though the damage is done, with many in Iraq unaware that the photos are fake and using them as an excuse to attack UK forces.
Paul.