The Iraqi government distanced itself from the growing scandal surrounding the recording of Saddam Hussein's execution as reports that two other members of his regime would shortly face the gallows looked set to inflame violence.

Mowaffak al-Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser, who was an official observer at the hanging, disavowed the behaviour in the execution chamber where the former dictator was captured on grainy mobile phone images being taunted by masked executioners.