THE Queens Lancashire Regiment and MPs today welcomed the sacking of Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan over the fake torture pictures storm.

The move, accompanied by a front page apology, came after the regiment slammed "one man's ego" for causing problems for soldiers still serving in Iraq.

Colonel David Black, a former commanding officer of the QLR, spoke of "quiet satisfaction" at the departure of Mr Morgan.

He said: "There is the wider question of course and that is the damage that has been caused out on the streets in Iraq and across the Arab world in general by the publication of these photographs. The damage there I believe will take a long time to repair, if it is not irreparable."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "The pictures printed in the Daily Mirror have been proven to be false and have soiled the good name of the QLR.

"I hope that this can now be put behind them in order that their good name can be restored and that they and other servicemen can concentrate on the extremely valuable and dangerous job that they are performing on behalf of us all."

Burnley MP Peter Pike, said: "Right from the start I believed the pictures were not genuine and it is of great regret that he has done so much damage to the QLR and caused major problems to the Government and serving soldiers."

Before the resignation, the regiment revealed its soldiers had been warned against taking "trophy" war photos. And it was revealed that a military police investigation found the pictures of alleged war prisoners being abused by QLR soldiers were not taken in Iraq.

The regiment, which is mostly made up of soldiers from East Lancashire, called for an apology from Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan.

Former commanding officer and member of the regiment council, Colonel Black, added: "There is a danger now that this has been a recruitment poster for al Qaeda and other militants, putting the lives of armed forces in a difficult and dangerous position."

The alleged British torture pictures were produced after the scandal of American soldiers abusing captured Iraqis.

When asked if abuse of prisoners of war could be "categorically denied" Brigadier Geoff Sheldon said: "I am quite confident that if there is any case to be made against any member of the regiment, that will be made and appropriate punishments given."

Military Police are investigating the death of Iraqi Baha Mousa who died while in the custody of the QLR in Basra last September.