WASHINGTON, May 16: US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld came under renewed fire on Sunday, following news reports that he approved a programme encouraging abusive interrogation methods used at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.

The New Yorker Magazine reported Saturday that Rumsfeld approved a secret programme that encouraged interrogation methods at prison that became notorious under now-deposed president Saddam Hussein.

That programme "encouraged physical coercion and the sexual humiliation of Iraqi prisoners in an effort to generate more intelligence about the growing insurgency in Iraq," investigative reporter Seymour Hersh wrote, citing current and former intelligence officials.

Lawmakers called for an investigation into the charges. "This is a very serious allegation that Sy Hersh is making," said Senator Joe Lieberman. -AFP