It has emerged that the execution of Saddam Hussein was nearly halted because of taunts by unidentified witnesses just before he was hanged.
Iraqi prosecutor Munkith al-Faroon, who is heard appealing for order on an internet video of the execution, said that he threatened to leave if the jeering did not stop.
This would have stopped the execution, as by law a prosecution observer must be present.
The Iraqi government earlier launched an inquiry to discover the identity of the person who secretly filmed the execution.
The former Iraqi leader was hanged on Saturday.
The manner of his execution has prompted criticism from a number of countries and human rights organisations. It has also sparked violent reaction in Iraq.
The British Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, described it as deplorable.
In an interview this morning, Mr Prescott also condemned the leaking on the Internet of a video recording of the hanging.
