THERE is no greater illustration of hypocrisy than witnessing the vacuous apologies of Mr Bush and Blair over the recent revelations of the torture of Iraqi prisoners.

It would appear to be a matter of no concern to them how many totally innocent men, women and children have been blown to bits or maimed in the recent invasion.

Depleted uranium? Cluster bombs? 700 dead in Faluja in 'revenge' for four Western mercenaries killed? No comment. Yet put a bag on an Iraqi man's head and take a photo and Bush and Blair are horrified.

Several independent sources have put the figure of Iraqi people slaughtered at 11,000 or 55,000 if you include conscripts to the Iraqi army. In fact these deaths are not even deemed to be worthy of being counted by the occupying forces and you will never see the truly stomach churning pictures of any of these slaughtered in our 'independent' media.

Yet suddenly Messrs Blair and Bush are shocked and horrified at pictures of abuse and torture. Their moral vacillation is stunning. It also, by default, infers that there are 'acceptable' levels of torture and humiliation.

These disgusting pictures are a clear indication that war brutalises and dehumanises all who fall under its deadly shadow.

So, please, no more crocodile tears from our leaders. I hope with all my heart that every citizen of Britain and America has fully awakened to the horrors or war when our glorious leaders next decide they are 'concerned' about a 'rogue state.'

IAN HODGSON, Eldon Road, Blackburn.