For legal reasons, I cannot comment on the photographs whilst a court martial is continuing.

We will, however, be in a position to respond more fully once the verdict has been handed down and any sentences passed.

In the meantime we can only repeat what we have said in the past about abuse. We condemn utterly all acts of abuse.

Where there is evidence of abuse this is investigated immediately.

We have always made clear that the proper way of dealing with allegations of abuse by the armed forces is for them to be investigated by the service police and, as appropriate, prosecuted by the independent service authorities.

I have every confidence in the military investigative and judicial system.

Some 65,000 servicemen and women have served in Iraq since the beginning of military operations.

Only a small number are alleged to be involved in incidents of this type and, in consequence, the number of open investigations into deliberate abuse against Iraqis is very small.

We have always taken abuse allegations seriously throughout.

We will of course study the outcome of this court martial and consider whether it raises any new issues for the Army.