A SOLDIER alleged to have been involved in the infamous fake Iraq torture photographs has been named by a national Sunday newspaper as a former Accrington McDonalds manager.

Stuart Mackenzie, 25, worked for the fast food chain for about five years at its old Blackburn Road site before leaving to embark on a career with the Inland Revenue.

The respected Sunday Times alleged at the weekend that Mr Mackenzie had been arrested by MOD investigators in connection with the fake pictures, published in the Daily Mirror, which purported to show an Iraqi being beaten and urinated on by British soldiers.

A Territorial Army member for several years, Mr Mackenzie was a member of the Lancaster and Cumbrian Volunteers, which was attached to the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. He is said to have served in Basra on peacekeeping duties.

A friend and former McDonalds colleague, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "Stuart was a really bright guy, he always knew what he was talking about. He was very professional and he got along with everybody. I am quite shocked about the whole thing."

Mr Mackenzie lived in Haslingden until the death of his mother about five years ago.

It is stressed that he has not been charged with any crime.

An MOD spokesman said: "As and when the situation develops, if it does and he is charged, we will look again as to whether we can name the man. But at the moment that is not the case."

  • Two weeks ago we told of another national newspaper claim that alleged torture photographs had been passed around Bold Street Working Men's Club in Accrington, but stewardess Sharon Bolton firmly denied it.