The British government has taken claims of abuse of Iraqi prisoners seriously and "no stone would be left unturned" by the inquiry team in probe into the pictures which apparently shows an Iraqi being abused by British troops, a defense minister said on Tuesday.

"Any decent thinking person" would be disturbed by the photos and if British soldiers were found to have acted unlawfully, then appropriate action would follow, Armed forces Minister Adam Ingram said in a statement to the House of Commons, lower house of the parliament.

"But our immediate priority is to establish the truth as soon as possible," Ingram said, appealing to anyone with "relevant information" to come forward.

The Daily Mirror newspaper, which last week published the pictures showing a hooded and bound Iraqi prisoner being mistreated, has handed over 20 photos allegedly showing British troops abusing an Iraqi to officers investigating the claims, Ingram told the lawmakers.

Claiming that the British government had drawn no conclusions about the authenticity of the pictures, Ingram said the government would not pressure investigators to reach quick conclusions.

"It would be quite wrong to prejudice this process by applying undue pressure of haste or indeed to point the finger of guilt outside the due process of law," Ingram said.

"Many of these investigations require detailed work to be undertaken in difficult and often dangerous circumstances. They cannot, and should not, be rushed," he added.

The British Ministry of Defense has begun an investigation into the abuse. Some military experts have questioned their authenticity, but the Daily Mirror insists that the photos, coming from soldiers serving in the Queen's Lancashire Regiment currently stationed in Cyprus, are genuine.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the abuse, if proved to be genuine, would be "completely and totally unacceptable."

Source: Xinhua