A QUEEN'S Lancashire Regiment territorial soldier accused of faking photographs showing an Iraqi prisoner being tortured will not face criminal charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was insufficient evidence to convict Stuart Mackenzie, of Haslingden.

The 25-year-old had been facing a possible charge of obtaining property by deception.

In April, Private Mackenzie, of the 1st Battalion of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment had a court martial charge against him discontinued.

The former Accrington McDonald's worker had been facing up to two years imprisonment on a charge of misusing military equipment after the photos appeared in the Daily Mirror.

However, army top brass threw out the charge.

A CPS spokesman said: "The potential offence considered was obtaining property by deception. We concluded there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of a conviction."

Mr Mackenzie said: "This case has caused me considerable stress and discomfort, however it has to be said, none of what has happened to date might have taken place if Piers Morgan and the Daily Mirror had been more diligent in verifying their sources and properly researching this story."

His solicitor, Andrew Pearson said, "Their desire to boost circulation by running the story without proper investigation has put lives at risk and it begs the question was this all really worth the candle."

Mr Mackenzie has been suspended from his TA unit with the Queens Lancashire Regiment.