Britain is to pull 800 troops out of Iraq as local security forces begin to take on more law enforcement responsibilities, the Defence Secretary has announced.

The Army contingent will fall to 7,000 In Iraq, with security sector reforms intended to help Iraqis train their own security forces and guard their own institutions having been completed.

John Reid made it clear that mushrooming sectarian violence was not a factor in the decision, and said that the Government would continue to support the Iraqi people.

The reduction constitutes a 10 per cent decrease in numbers and marks a reduction from the high point of 10,000 British troops in Iraq in October 2003.

Mr Reid further insisted it was not the start of the handover of security responsibility to Iraq and rejected suggestions that civil war was imminent.

Mr Reid said: "Despite the ferocity of the terrorist, the Iraqi people will not be defeated - and our will to see the job done will not be broken."

He added: "Let me stress that the reductions I have announced are not part of a handover of security responsibility. They are not caused by, nor a cause of, changes in troop levels of other coalition allies.

"In the next few weeks the joint committee to transfer security responsibility will start the assessment phase to look at whether conditions have been met for some provinces to begin the handover process."

He added: "Our commitment to the Iraqi people and government remains strong. Our commitment to the coalition is steady."

Mr Reid said that there were now 235,000 members of the Iraqi security forces equipped and trained, with 5,000 more signing up every month.

However, Iraqi security forces were criticised in a recent Amnesty International report for their use of torture, amid claims that thousands languish in jails even though they have not been charged.

Calls are growing for British troops to be withdrawn amid the brew of sectarian violence, insurgency bombings and criminal activity which goes on seemingly unchecked in Iraq.

Images appearing to show British soldiers abusing Iraqis has undermined fragile relations even further.

The current lead formation in Iraq, 7th Armoured Brigade, will be replaced in May by 20th Armoured Brigade. Major units, including 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards and the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery, would replace those currently in Iraq.

Times Recommends

• Times Charity Appeal: SolarAid
• Is it Black Monday all over again for Dubai?
• Behind the scenes at the biggest deal