A video appearing to show British soldiers firing shots at a poster of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for target practice has triggered a controversy, ahead of embattled Prime Minister Theresa May's crucial talks with the opposition leader to break the Brexit deadlock.
In the short clip, four paratroopers in uniform appear to use a large portrait of Corbyn for target practice, the BBC reported.
The Labour Party has called the behaviour alarming but said it has confidence in the Ministry of Defence to investigate.
It is not known when the footage was filmed.
It is believed the clip first circulated on Snapchat before being posted on Twitter, the report said.
Reacting to the video, an Army chief said it showed a serious error of judgment.
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Brigadier Nick Perry said the Army was taking the matter "extremely seriously" and would fully investigate.
"The video shows totally unacceptable behaviour that falls far below the behaviour that we expect," he said.
Brig Perry, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, said there were currently 400 soldiers from his brigade working with Nato and Afghan partners in Afghanistan, where the footage is thought to have been filmed.
He said they were doing an "outstanding job in theatre" but this incident would be fully investigated.
He stressed the Army was and always would be an apolitical organisation.
The prime minister's official spokesperson said Theresa May was aware of the video but had not watched it, and had called it "clearly unacceptable".
The emergence of the video comes at a time of heightened alarm about the safety of MPs as tensions rise over Brexit.
Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: "This is absolutely hideous and irresponsible under this or any climate."
The video emerged as Prime Minister May came under criticism from her own MPs over talks with Corbyn by saying all MPs have a responsibility to deliver Brexit.
May has to find a way to find a majority in Parliament for Britain's exit from the European Union which was earlier scheduled to happen on March 29. British lawmakers have already rejected her Brexit plans thrice.
May said the public "expect us to reach across this House to find a way through this".
Corbyn said he welcomed the May's "willingness to compromise to resolve the Brexit deadlock".
The UK has until April 12 to propose a plan to the European Union - which must be accepted by the bloc - or it will leave without a deal on that date.
In a statement on Tuesday night, May announced she wanted to meet Corbyn to agree a way forward and put the plan to a vote in the Commons before April 10 - when the EU will hold an emergency summit on Brexit.
She insisted her withdrawal agreement - which was voted down last week - would remain part of the deal.
If there is no agreement between the two leaders, May said a number of options would be put to MPs "to determine which course to pursue".
In either event, May said she would ask the EU for a further short extension to hopefully get an agreement passed by Parliament before May 22, so the UK does not have to take part in European elections.
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