LONDON, May 9 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair apologized Sunday for any case of mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by British soldiers.
During an interview on French television, Blair promised those responsible would be punished under military rules, the BBC reported.
"We apologize deeply to anyone who has been mistreated by any of our soldiers," Blair said. "That is absolutely and totally unacceptable."
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is expected to field questions from members of Parliament Monday about the alleged abuse. The MPs will pressure him to reveal when the claims of abuse first surfaced after Downing Street confirmed Sunday it received a Red Cross report in February concerning alleged abuses by British troops on Iraqi prisoners.
A government spokesman said action had been taken in response, but declined to give details of the allegations or how they had been dealt with, saying the report remains confidential, the BBC reported Sunday.
The Daily Mirror ran front page pictures taken by a soldier apparently depicting a violent episode. It shows what appears to be a British soldier taking a photo of an Iraqi captive looking battered and bruised.
