The Hindu : International : U.K. tabloid apologises

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Saturday, May 15, 2004

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International

U.K. tabloid apologises

LONDON, MAY 14. THE Daily Mirror today apologised for publishing "faked" photographs of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by the British forces, and its the editor has stepped down.

The move by the newspaper and its owners, Trinity Mirror PLC, came hours after commanders of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment bitterly denounced the pictures, and said they had proof that the photos — said to be taken in Iraq — had been staged in Britain.

The Daily Mirror Editor, Piers Morgan, had staunchly defended the photos, which caused an uproar when they were published on May 1. The Government said that it had concluded that the pictures, including one of a soldier allegedly urinating on a hooded prisoner, were fakes.

``The Daily Mirror published in good faith photographs which it absolutely believed were genuine images of British soldiers abusing an Iraqi prisoner,'' the newspaper said.

``However, there is now sufficient evidence to suggest that these pictures are fakes and that the paper has been the subject of a calculated and malicious hoax.''

The regiment's commander said they had conclusive evidence that a truck seen in the photos had never been in Iraq — where the Daily Mirror had claimed the photos were taken.

The newspaper said it would be ``inappropriate'' for Mr. Piers Morgan to continue as editor, and he had stepped down with immediate effect.

Earlier, Brig. Geoff Sheldon, Colonel of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, said the danger faced by soldiers in Iraq had increased markedly, possibly irreversibly, because of the pictures, which were circulated around the world.

``We all know that those photographs are fakes, the time has come to do all we can to try and reduce the danger our soldiers are in by acknowledging that,'' Brig. Sheldon said.

Asked if he thought Mr. Morgan should step down, Brig. Sheldon said it was more important that he do ``what he can to rectify the damage. That's what matters to me rather than any question of resignation.''

Even as the government denounced the pictures, Mr. Morgan insisted the photos ``accurately illustrated the reality about the appalling conduct of some British troops'' and said his staunchly anti-war tabloid would not apologise for highlighting such allegations.

Brig. Sheldon rejected that claim vehemently.

The newspaper quoted the unidentified soldiers as saying that the unarmed captive had been threatened with execution during eight hours of abuse, and was left bleeding and vomiting. The captive was then driven away and dumped from the back of a moving vehicle.

Mr. Sheldon said the Regiment wrote to the newspaper the day after the photos ran, citing visual clues that it believed suggested they were staged, but had not received a reply.

The regiment showed reporters a replica of the rifle depicted in the Daily Mirror pictures and pointed out differences with the weapon its members carried during a six-month tour in Iraq last year. — AP

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