Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon was under pressure yesterday to explain exactly what and when the government knew about allegations that British troops abused Iraqi prisoners. Hoon's statement in Parliament is likely to be dominated by suggestions his government was alerted to complaints about the treatment of Iraqi detainees in British custody as early as a year ago.

Britain and the United States, the leading occupying powers in Iraq, have been rocked by the abuse scandal that came to light when graphic images were released in their national media of prisoners being humiliated and mistreated.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was sorry for any mistreatment by British soldiers, but stopped short of admitting abuses had taken place. ?We've already made it absolutely clear we apologise deeply to anyone who's been mistreated by any of our soldiers. That is absolutely and totally unacceptable,? Blair told France 3 television.

As Britain considers whether to send more soldiers to Iraq to fill a hole left by the pullout of Spanish forces, an opinion poll showed voters supported the withdrawal of all British troops by the end of next month by a majority of two to one.

Fifty-five per cent of those polled by NOP for the Independent newspaper called for British troops to be pulled out by June 30, the planned date for the transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government.

Hoon is likely to face questions as to why a minister told Parliament last week he had received no ?adverse? reports from any outside body on the treatment of prisoners by British soldiers.