LONDON – The chaotic trial of Saddam Hussein took another farcical turn yesterday when the former dictator complained that he had been brought to court by force and denounced the judge as an American “agent.”

In a rowdy session marked by repeated tirades from the dock, Saddam’s half-brother Barzan at one point sat down angrily on the floor, his back turned to the judge.

A leading witness, a former head of Saddam’s presidential office, refused to answer questions, saying: “I don’t remember anything at all.”

Saddam was undaunted by the stern attitude adopted by chief judge Rauf Abdel-Rahman as he was brought into the Baghdad courtroom, shouting: “Down with agents, down with Bush, long live the ummah [Islamic nation].”

The judge was appointed after the resignation of his predecessor, Rizgar Amin, who had complained of political interference following criticism that he had been too lenient with Saddam and his seven co-defendants. But the new judge has had trouble restoring order despite his no-nonsense manner. When he took charge a fortnight ago he expelled one defense lawyer, watched the rest of the defense team walk out and then ordered the removal of Saddam himself.

The trial continued without some or all the defendants. But as it resumed yesterday, the judge changed his mind and demanded the presence of Saddam and his lieutenants.

Instead of his customary dark suit, Saddam was dressed in an Arab robe with a black overcoat and slippers without socks. He was clutching a Koran. He soon went on the attack, telling the judge: “This is not a court, this is a game. I was forced into the courtroom. Why have you brought us with force? Your authority gives you the right to try a defendant in absentia. Are you trying to overcome your own smallness?”

Judge Abdel-Rahman replied: “The law states that if the defendants refuse to appear before the court, he will be forced to appear before court, we are implementing the law.”

At another point Saddam told the judge he was “ignorant of the law” and that he was imposing “American law.” When one of the witnesses lawyers referred to “Saddam the criminal,” the ex-dictator shot back, “Not criminal, you agent. You sissy. You would not have said that before, sissies like you.”

Visibly annoyed, the judge tried to cut off Saddam. “I’ve given you enough chances,” he said. Saddam shouted back: “God damn your moustaches” – an Arabic insult to the judge’s manhood.

Barzan also disrupted the session, scuffling with guards as they tried to push him back into his seat.

He complained that he had been brought to court “in my pajamas” and the defendants had been “tricked” into attending. “We were taken by surprise. I would not continue except with the presence of my lawyer,” he said.

When the court discussed the medical condition of Barzan, who is suffering from cancer, Saddam’s half-brother shouted out: “Does not a human life mean anything to you? I am dying gradually and you are killing me.”