Accessibility links

Breaking News

British Editor Resigns Over Fake Iraqi Abuse Photos


(file photo) 14 May 2004 -- Piers Morgan, the editor of the British tabloid newspaper "Daily Mirror" resigned this evening after photographs the paper printed of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by British soldiers were proven to be fakes.

The "Daily Mirror" said in a statement that "there is now sufficient evidence to suggest that these pictures are fakes and that the 'Daily Mirror' has been the subject of a calculated and malicious hoax."

The newspaper said it would be inappropriate for Morgan to continue in his job and that he had stepped down.

Representatives of the regiment whose soldiers were allegedly involved earlier today said running the pictures endangered soldiers' lives and demanded an apology. Colonel David Black, a senior officer at the regiment, said: "It is not a Westminster game that we're talking about. It is real lives in danger. And it is time that the ego of one editor is measured against the life of a soldier, and which side we come down on."

The pictures purportedly showing British troops abusing Iraqi prisoners were published at the start of this month, just after pictures of U.S. troops abusing Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghurayb prison were released.

(AFP/AP)

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG