The Sun reports that photographs of British troops abusing Iraqi prisoners are confirmed to be fake. (Hat tip: Barak Moore.)

SHAMEFUL photographs showing British troops abusing Iraqi prisoners ARE fake, the Government confirmed yesterday.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told MPs that an Army truck seen in the photos had never been in Iraq.

And he said the claims of torture that the pictures allegedly showed were old — and were already being investigated by the Army.

A hushed House of Commons heard Mr Hoon’s damning indictment of the faked pictures, which have put British squaddies in Iraq in danger.

He said: “There are strong indications the vehicle in which the photographs were taken was not in Iraq during the relevant period.”

Last night Mr Hoon was bluntly asked by C4’s Jon Snow: “So let’s hear it, they are fakes?” He replied: “It appears to be the case, yes.”