Hague: 'War crimes' inquiry is needed

There should be an investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka "because there is a great deal of evidence", Foreign Secretary William Hague has told the Today programme.

"That is why he have called for a thorough, independent, credible investigation... if there isn't then we will be in favour of an international investigation," he said.

"But it's also important to work with people in this country (Sri Lanka) of all persuasions and backgrounds."

David Cameron will visit the north of the country on Friday, where up to 40,000 Tamil civilians are said to have been killed in the final months of the civil war in 2009.

The Prince of Wales has opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, and the Sri Lankan president has insisted that the Commonwealth should not turn into a judgemental or punitive body.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday 8 November 2013.