Iraq teen claims abuse by British soldiers

LONDON, July 13 (UPI) -- British military police say they are investigating claims a 14-year-old Iraq detainee was forced to perform sex acts on another male prisoner.

The allegation is the latest in a series of scandals arising from the conduct of British soldiers in the so-called Camp Bread Basket affair, in which published photos of prisoner abuse at a facility near Basra resulted in lawsuits and multimillion-dollar compensation awards, The Sunday Times of London reported.

The Royal Military Police told the newspaper they are looking into allegations from an Iraqi man, now 19, who said he was rounded up by British soldiers as a looter in 2003, put into cell with a friend and forced to perform oral sex on him as soldiers watched.

The teenager, identified only as Hassan, first told the story to The Independent on Sunday, alleging he was also whipped and beaten after being arrested while trying to steal milk cartons from a food-distribution center.

"All but a handful of the more than 120,000 British troops who have served in Iraq have conducted themselves to the highest standards of behavior, displaying integrity and selfless commitment," a Ministry of Defense spokeswoman said.