John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, has described the manner of Saddam Hussein’s execution as "deplorable" and denounced leaked recordings of his final moments as "totally unacceptable".

Mr Prescott's comments were the first by a British minister since the release of mobile phone footage of the former Iraqi dictator being tormented and insulted by guards and witnesses seconds before his death on Saturday morning.

The images, which have been widely distributed across the internet, reveal Saddam being told to "go to hell" and include people chanting the name of Moqtada al-Sadr, the radical Shia Muslim cleric, as the rope is secured around the ex-President’s neck.

The actual moment of his execution, complete with a close-up of Saddam's lifeless face still swinging from the trapdoor, is also shown.

Asked about the execution on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Prescott said: "I think the manner was quite deplorable really. I don’t think one can endorse in any way that, whatever your views about capital punishment."

He added: "Frankly, to get the kind of recorded messages coming out is totally unacceptable and I think whoever is involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves."

He refused to elaborate on whether the responsibility lay with the Iraqi Government, saying: "If they are responsible, I pass my comment and that’s where I stand.

"I am just making the point that, in fact, those circumstances of the hanging of Saddam... without doubt, to have those kinds of comments is unacceptable and whoever is responsible should be condemned for it."

Asked whether the British Government had conveyed the sentiment to the authorities in Baghdad, Mr Prescott said: "I think we have made it clear what the Government’s position is on the death penalty and that has been communicated as Margaret Beckett has said."

It is not known who filmed the amateur footage or whether its release was officially sanctioned. The Iraqi government has launched an investigation into the matter, describing the chanting and calling of slogans as "inappropriate". There are concerns that the images, which have caused outcry in the Arab world, will trigger further violence in Iraq.

Tony Blair has been criticised by some of his own MPs for refusing to make an official statement about the execution. Glenda Jackson branded his lack of public reaction "amazing" while Peter Kilfoyle said it was "yet another error in a long catalogue" on Iraq.

The Prime Minister has previously underlined Britain’s opposition to the death penalty but stressed it was for the Iraqis to decide the fate of their ousted leader.

Downing Street insisted that Ms Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, spoke on behalf of the whole Government in saying that Saddam had been "held to account", but adding: "We do not support the use of the death penalty ... we advocate an end to the death penalty worldwide, regardless of the individual or the crime."

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