Troops to be probed over treatment of Iraqi pair

British troops are under criminal investigation over the detention of Iraqis in Basra 13 years ago.

The investigation is focused on allegations of ill treatment of two Iraqis who were accused of involvement in the deaths of two British soldiers during the conflict.

Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth and Sapper Luke Allsopp were killed in 2003. The two British bomb disposal officers were captured when their convoy was ambushed by militiamen, and they were taken to a military intelligence compound where they were shot dead.

Faisal al-saadoon and Khalaf Mufdhi were detained by British forces and held for “imperative reasons of security”.

The government was found guilty in 2010 of exposing the two Iraqis to years of fear of execution, in breach of human rights.