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Saddam death scenes 'deplorable' Saddam death scenes 'deplorable'
(40 minutes later)
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has described the circumstances of Saddam Hussein's execution as "deplorable".Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has described the circumstances of Saddam Hussein's execution as "deplorable".
Mobile phone footage showed Saddam being told to "go to hell" by people attending the hanging, while the ex-leader mocks their "bravery".Mobile phone footage showed Saddam being told to "go to hell" by people attending the hanging, while the ex-leader mocks their "bravery".
Mr Prescott said those responsible for the scenes at the gallows in Baghdad should be "ashamed of themselves". Mr Prescott told the BBC those responsible for the scenes should be "ashamed of themselves".
He would not say whether that should include the Iraqi government which organised the execution.He would not say whether that should include the Iraqi government which organised the execution.
The silent, official film released after the execution showed a subdued Saddam Hussein. 'Totally unacceptable'
But the subsequently released grainy footage, believed to have been filmed on a mobile phone, showed a charged, angry scene. Mr Prescott told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think the manner was quite deplorable really.
In it people chant the name of radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and tell Saddam Hussein to "go to hell", while the former leader mocks their "bravery". "Frankly, to get this kind of recorded messages coming out is totally unacceptable and I think whoever is involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves."
And unlike the official film, which was released on Saturday, the second video shows the moment that the gallows trapdoor opens, sending Saddam Hussein to his death. Prime Minister Tony Blair, currently on holiday in Florida, has been criticised by Labour MPs opposed to the Iraq war for refusing to make an official statement about the execution.
Some of the guards started to taunt him - by shouting Islamic words Judge Munir Haddad, execution witness href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6220087.stm" class="">Witness to Saddam death To get this kind of recorded messages coming out is totally unacceptable and I think whoever is involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves John PrescottDeputy prime minister
It also has images of Saddam Hussein's face as he swings dead from the noose.
The amateur footage first appeared on websites and then excerpts began airing on major news channels.
The darkened scene is frequently lit up by flashes from people taking photographs.
As Saddam Hussein shuffles forward, the crowd of witnesses standing below can be heard talking in conversational tones, but as the noose is placed around his neck the crowd becomes more agitated, with some shouting out insults.
One of the unseen observers shouts "go to hell", others chant the name of Shia cleric Moqtada al Sadr and of Mohammed Bakr Sadr, his uncle who was murdered by Saddam Hussein's agents.
"Do you consider this bravery? Saddam Hussein, on new video Hanging sparks media storm Pictures of aftermath
In response Saddam Hussein is sarcastic, asking: "Do you consider this bravery?"
He begins intoning the shahada, the Islamic creed, saying "there is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God. There is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad" - at which point he is cut off as the trapdoor opens and he falls.
Noise breaks out, and a voice shouts out "the tyrant has fallen, damn him!" as the camera swings around wildly for a few seconds before settling on a close up image of Saddam Hussein still swinging on the noose, his lifeless face upturned, eyes open.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been criticised by Labour MPs opposed to the Iraq war for refusing to make an official statement about the execution.
Glenda Jackson branded his lack of public reaction "amazing", while Peter Kilfoyle said it was "yet another error in a long catalogue" on Iraq.Glenda Jackson branded his lack of public reaction "amazing", while Peter Kilfoyle said it was "yet another error in a long catalogue" on Iraq.
Downing Street said Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett had spoken "on behalf of the whole government" when she gave her reaction to Saddam Hussein's death at the weekend.Downing Street said Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett had spoken "on behalf of the whole government" when she gave her reaction to Saddam Hussein's death at the weekend.
She said he had been "held to account", but added: "We do not support the use of the death penalty... we advocate an end to the death penalty worldwide, regardless of the individual or the crime." She said Saddam had been "held to account", but added: "We do not support the use of the death penalty... we advocate an end to the death penalty worldwide, regardless of the individual or the crime."
The silent, official film released after the execution showed a subdued Saddam Hussein.
But the other footage, believed to have been filmed on a mobile phone, shows a charged, angry scene.
Unlike the official film, it shows the moment that the gallows trapdoor opens.
The amateur footage first appeared on websites and then excerpts began airing on major news channels.