Yet another video footage purportedly showing abuse of Iraqi prisoners, this time by British soldiers has come to light, triggering a fresh controversy over the conduct of western troops in the war-ravaged country.
Hours after the news of the footage was published in the widely circulated The News of the World, the Ministry of Defence ordered a probe into the images which appeared to show UK soldiers brutally beating a group of Iraqi teenagers.
The newspaper says the video was shot in southern Iraq in 2004.
Chancellor Gordon Brown said the abuse, if true, was "unacceptable".
On the tape, described as a "secret home video", an unidentified cameraman is heard laughing and urging his colleagues on. It was apparently filmed for fun by a corporal.
The Ministry of Defence said it was aware of the allegations, which are being probed by the Royal Military Police.
Brown told BBC that the "loyal, hard-working, decent troops" in Iraq would see the allegations as a "slight on their great work".
Those responsible would be brought to trial, he added.
{{/usCountry}}Those responsible would be brought to trial, he added.
{{/usCountry}}British military spokesman Flight Lieutenant Chris Thomas, based in Basra, said the newspaper's claims related "to only a tiny number of the 80,000 personnel that have served in Iraq."
"The pictures are shocking and that's why I think the MoD are right and I'm pleased that they've said they'll carry out a full in depth and very quick investigation," Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said.