LONDON, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - Britain threatened Monday to cut off training for Kenya's military after a television report alleged that a British-trained unit was involved in rapes, beatings and other rights violations.

Channel 4 News reported that the Kenyan Army's 20 Para unit, which was given training by Britain on border security, had been part of an operation against an ethnic guerrilla militia that resulted in rapes, beatings and several disappearances.

The Kenyan government has denied the allegations, but Britain has said it is 'urgently' seeking more details.

'We are deeply concerned by the allegations of human rights abuses carried out by Kenyan security forces in Mount Elgon, and specifically the allegations against 20 Para,' the British Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The ministry said a small number of soldiers from the unit had been given very specific training by Britain with respect to border security.

'There is no training currently ongoing between the UK and 20 Para and we are urgently seeking further details from the Kenyan authorities,' it said.

'Were the allegations proved to be true the UK would not resume training until we were satisfied that these had been properly addressed.'

The training given to the Kenyan military was part of Britain's counter-terrorism strategy and was aimed at helping 20 Para prevent militants crossing over from neighbouring Somalia.

Kenyan defence ministry spokesman Bogita Onyeri denied the allegations, however, telling Channel 4: 'Our armed forces are not involved in torture whatsoever. We have tried to find evidence from these people who say they have been tortured, but they have not come forward.'