Mirror apologises to UK troops

The Daily Mirror, the UK newspaper which published false pictures of UK troops abusing Iraqi prisoners has apologised to the regiment it accused of the torture.

The Mirror said it was "hoaxed" into printing photos which appeared to show Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR) soldiers harming detainees.

Following the sacking of editor Piers Morgan, the tabloid also apologised to readers and to UK armed forces in Iraq.

The QLR said the Mirror had endangered British troops by running the pictures.



One photograph showed a soldier urinating on a hooded man while in another the hooded man is being hit with a rifle in the groin.

In Saturday's edition, the Daily Mirror admits the photographs were fakes but says they "were printed in good faith".

It continues: "We absolutely believed they were what we were told they were, otherwise we would never have printed them."

The QLR has said that the apology by the newspaper met their demands.

Roger Goodman, from the QLR, said the regiment now felt "vindicated", but added: "It is just a great pity it has taken so long... and that so much damage has been done in the meantime."

An inquiry by the Royal Military Police (RMP) had said the truck shown in the photographs was never in Iraq and on Friday the QLR demonstrated to reporters aspects of uniform and equipment which it said proved the photographs were false.


It's time that the ego of one editor is measured against the life of the soldier
Colonel David Black, ex-QLR commanding officer

Mr Morgan had refused to resign saying "We published the truth", but the newspaper now says the pictures were part of a "calculated and malicious hoax".

The BBC's Nicholas Witchell said it appeared Piers Morgan remained "unrepentant" right to the end.

"According to one report Mr Morgan refused the demand to apologise, was sacked and immediately escorted from the building," he said.

The former editor will be replaced on a temporary basis by his deputy, Des Kelly.

Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have declined to comment on Mr Morgan's departure, but press reports have said that military chiefs were privately celebrating.



On Friday Colonel David Black, an ex-QLR commanding officer, voiced "quiet satisfaction" at Mr Morgan's departure.

He said: "It's time that the ego of one editor is measured against the life of the soldier."

An RMP investigation into alleged abuse by British soldiers of Iraqis is still continuing.

One of the Mirror's informants - Soldier C - said there had been abuse in Iraq.

The Territorial Army soldier has been questioned by Royal Military Police after talking about his claims to the newspaper.

On ITV's Tonight With Trevor McDonald he said: "It did go on, it wasn't all the army, it wasn't systematic but it did happen."

And in Saturday's edition the Daily Mirror is still refusing to leave the issue alone.

It said: "Four others have told similar stories. No evidence been produced to disprove what they said".

The Sun newspaper had offered a £50,000 reward for "information about the fake Mirror photos" but withdrew the offer following the sacking of Mr Morgan.