'I'm no war criminal'

A senior British officer celebrated as a hero in the Iraq war today strongly denied accusations that he is a "war criminal".

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins, 43, stands accused of a number of "serious breaches" of the Geneva Convention after claims that he punched, kicked and threatened Iraqi prisoners of war to force information from them and that he opened fire needlessly.

The allegations are now being looked into by the Army's Special Investigations Branch.

Col Collins made a rousing speech to troops on the eve of the war which was praised by Prince Charles and George Bush.

The Royal Irish Regiment officer, who led his men in battles across southern Iraq, is also accused of:

If proven the allegations would be in breach of the convention, which gives captured enemy soldiers and civilians protection during-armed conflict. A friend of Col Collins said: "It was a war. Tim acted robustly, but he is insistent he did everything by the rule book."

In his rallying speech to the 600-strong Canterbury-based regiment Col Collins urged them to be "ferocious in battle and magnanimous in victory".

With his men gathered around him in the desert, Col Collins added: "If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family. If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.

"You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest." However, a team from the Special Investigations Branch (SIB) has now flown to Iraq to take detailed statements from his alleged victims.

They have also visited the Royal Irish Regiment's base to ask officers, NCOs and privates to give statements about Col Collins's behaviour.

Col Collins could not be contacteddirectly himself. The investigation threatens to tarnish the record of British troops in the war, widely praised for their calm efficiency in contrast to the more gung-ho behaviour of the Americans, especially in dealing with Iraqi civilians.

The SIB's commanding officer Lt-Col Stuart Green will hand his report to the Army's senior commanders and military prosecutors. They will decide if any further action is necessary. Col Collins, a father of five, has now left the RIR and is in line for a gallantry medal for his speech and the regiment's success in Iraq.

He has also been selected for promotion to full colonel on a salary of £55,000 a year.

Col Collins's troops - part of 16 Air Assault Brigade - played a key role in capturing the Iraqi oil town of Al Ramaliyah in southern Iraq. Later units from the brigade were switched to helping mop up in Basra and surroundingtowns. Here there was trouble with mobs of looters and prisoners of war.

Frequently there were riots in the PoW cages, with British guards having to use their fists and batons to defend themselves.

An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm an investigation is being conducted into allegations against the former commanding officer of 1 Royal Irish Regiment in Iraq. We cannot comment further."