US soldier behind allegations of British misconduct in Iraq war

A US officer is behind allegations about the conduct of a high-profile British Army officer during the war in Iraq, it emerged today.

The Ministry of Defence is investigating Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins, who commanded the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rangers during the war against Saddam Hussein’s forces.

The Northern Ireland-born officer is being investigated by the army’s Special Investigations Branch, defence sources said.

One source also confirmed that a complaint about his conduct was made by a US officer.

The investigators are probing allegations that his treatment of prisoners of war and an Iraqi civic leader may have breached the Geneva Convention.

It is understood Lt-Col Collins, who is on leave, will strenuously deny any wrongdoing.

A MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm that an investigation is being conducted into allegations that have been made against a British officer who was serving in Iraq."

Lt-Col Collins, 43, was often seen with a cigar clenched between his teeth and wearing a pair of sunglasses during the conflict. He galvanised his troops on the eve of battle with a speech in Kuwait in which he urged them to do their duty while treating the enemy with respect.

"There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly," he said. "Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send. As for the others, I expect you to rock their world."

He reminded his soldiers that the enemy had the right under international law to surrender, and would one day return to their families.

"If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer," he said. "You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest."

The Prince of Wales was so impressed by the speech that he wrote a personal note to Lt-Col Collins to say how "profoundly moved" he was by the "extraordinarily stirring, civilised and humane" words.

George Bush, the US president, was said to have a copy of the speech pinned to the wall of the Oval Office in the White House.

Lt-Col Collins was not contactable yesterday.

One soldier, who did not want to be named, said that morale was high in the barracks of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment in Canterbury.

On the news of the investigation into the conduct of his commanding officer in Iraq, he added: "You are innocent until proven guilty - that is why we have the best legal system in the world, unlike some other countries."

He said that Lt-Col Collins "did not deserve" to be criticised.

Colonel Bob Stewart, the former commander of British forces in Bosnia, said there were situations in war "where people do things that can be cut any way you like".

He said: "The British Army abides strictly and absolutely by the Geneva Conventions.

"The one respect we have as an army - and we have the best army in the world - is that we actually fight wars humanely.

"We fight according to the rules of war and do not use more force than necessary.

"Of course, there are situations where you can go over the top.

"Even in Northern Ireland, I can personally remember slapping a woman because she was going absolutely ballistic and was uncontrollable.

"I hated myself for doing it but it was the only way that I could get her under control.

"I do not think it was a war crime. I did it deliberately and I did it to get the situation under control.

"I can readily see situations where people do things that can be cut any way you like."