Secret filming

The film was shot by a soldier at the School of Infantry in 2004 and appeared to show a soldier putting his boot on a recruit's neck.

The chief of staff at Catterick said the acts "should not have taken place".

But he said as no member of the platoon wanted to complain when interviewed. No one was reported for criminal activity.

The film showed young soldiers at the North Yorkshire base wearing hoods, with their hands in the air and their heads pressed against a wall, echoing images of torture of detainees in Iraq.

The BBC later broadcast the footage, prompting the Royal Military Police's inquiry.

Catterick's chief of staff, Lt Col Philip Jennings, said the disclosure of the footage was taken very seriously by the chain of command and thoroughly investigated.

We are content that in this instance the training staff involved did not abuse or ill-treat the recruits they were responsible for Lt Col Philip Jennings

"No member of the platoon in training wished to make a complaint when questioned, and as a result no individuals were reported for criminal activity," he said.

"What did become evident was that the activity that was filmed was not part of the training syllabus and should not have taken place.

"Shortly after the incident came to light, clear direction was issued to training staff that this was unauthorised activity, and only that contained within the training syllabus was to be carried out."

He said internal administrative action was being considered for the training staff involved by their current commanding officers.

New instructors will undergo a two-week "train the trainer" course to improve their skills, so "the recruit is encouraged to try his best and is treated in an appropriate manner", he added.

"The well-being of our personnel is fundamental to the core values and standards of the British Army," he said.