The Iraq war claimed another media scalp after the editor of
the Daily Mirror, Piers Morgan, was sacked for publishing fake
photos of Iraqi prisoner abuse. Morgan’s nine year reign came to an abrupt end when
members of the Queen’s Lancashire regiment showed that the
photos couldn’t have been taken in Iraq. Brigadier Geoff
Sheldon said that scratches on an army truck in the photographs
had been matched to a truck at the Territorial Army’s
Kimberley barracks in Preston. Morgan was sacked by the Trinity
Mirror Group and the paper issued an unreserved apology the
following day. The Daily Mirror claimed to have been subject to a
“calculated and malicious hoax”. Conflict between
government and media over Iraq has already forced the BBC’s
Director General and chairman to resign. Morgan was one of the
most vigorous anti-war voices in Fleet Street.ARCHIVE: 3rd week TT 2004
Faked photos secure Morgan’s downfall
