Mirror editor to face MPs' quiz

Morgan insists the pictures are genuine

The editor of the Daily Mirror is being invited for questioning by MPs about his publication of photos allegedly showing UK troops abusing an Iraqi.

The Commons defence select committee says the hearing will give Piers Morgan "a chance to substantiate" the claims.

A Daily Mirror spokesman confirmed Mr Morgan had received the request, adding: "Naturally he is happy to cooperate."

The Mirror stands by the photos despite doubts voiced about their authenticity.

No date has been set for the session but it is thought unlikely to happen before next month.

Announcing its decision to call Mr Morgan, the committee said: "It will enable us to satisfy ourselves whether he and his staff have acted responsibly in how they have handled this matter.

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"We will hold this session in the context of our already announced inquiry into the continuing operations in Iraq."

A spokesman for the newspaper told BBC News Online that Mr Morgan was "not going to be drawn on anything that would compromise the Daily Mirror's sources".

Key questions

Committee chairman Bruce George floated the idea of questioning Mr Morgan on Tuesday evening, saying it could "clear the air".

Mr George told Channel 4 News some of the questions which could be raised: "Was there any payment made? Is he convinced these pictures are genuine? What efforts did he make to ensure these pictures were genuine?"

The pictures, published this weekend, appear to show a hooded and bound Iraqi prisoner being mistreated.

IRAQ TROOP INQUIRIES 33 cases of civilian deaths, injuries or ill-treatment caused by UK troops have been investigated 12 of the cases are on-going, the other 21 are completed Of the finished inquiries, there was "no case to answer" in 15 cases. Recommendations in the other six cases are still being considered

The Daily Mirror, in Wednesday morning's editorial, said: "The Mirror still believes the truth of the story and the pictures which substantiate it.

"That gives us no pleasure. On the contrary, we, like the squaddies who came to us, are shocked by what went on."

The paper said it would refuse to hand over its sources, while at the same time praising the government's "balanced and responsible position" on an inquiry.

'Fakes' warnings

In the Commons on Wednesday, Tony Blair used prime minister's questions to say any "human rights abuses, torture or degradation" of prisoners were "wholly unacceptable". But he said it would also be "extremely serious" if the photos turned out to be fakes.

That was a message echoed by Conservative leader Michael Howard who said editor Piers Morgan would have to take "full responsibility".

The Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, promised MPs on Tuesday that "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into the pictures.

In a Commons statement, Mr Ingram said the newspaper had handed over 20 photographs of alleged abuse.

Inquiry continues

The Royal Military Police are investigating in the UK, in the southern Iraqi city of Basra and in Cyprus, where the regiment in question - the Queen's Lancashire Regiment - is based.

Sources close to the regiment insist the photographs are not genuine.

Their suspicions focus on the troops' clothing, weaponry and equipment, the quality of the photos, and the lack of sweat, dirt or injuries on the body of the alleged victim.

The newspaper says the sources for its photos are two members of the regiment who are standing by their account of what happened.