Police criticise MoD over Deepcut deaths

A report into the deaths of four recruits at Deepcut army barracks is expected to be strongly critical of the Ministry of Defence for alleged failures in dealing with the vulnerabilities of young men and women joining the ranks.

The bereaved parents hope the conclusions of the investigation by Surrey Police will pave the way for a public inquiry.

The report is the final one in a series of five investigations by the Surrey force, which included 15,000 statements and 900 interviews in the United Kingdom and abroad.

It is said to conclude that the four young soldiers at the barracks, near Camberley, Surrey had not been murdered, but had taken their own lives.

But the report, addressing alleged shortcomings in the MoD's duty of care towards young soldiers, makes a series of recommendations.

These are said to include more stringent care over the issuing of live ammunition to recruits; greater attempts to monitor bullying; and greater sensitivity to concerns from soldiers and parents.

Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces minister, is due to give the government response to the inquiry in the House of Commons.

Mr Ingram is expected to say that the MoD accepts that mistakes were made. He will point out that a series of reforms have already been instituted in an attempt to prevent recurrence of the shortfalls.

Although Surrey Police do not say a public inquiry is necessary, parents of the dead soldiers claim they have been assured by senior officers, including the Deputy Chief Constable of Surrey, Bob Quick, that it is the natural next step.

Diane Gray, whose son, Geoff, was one of the recruits found dead, said: "Mr Quick told me that once this report is published he would find it difficult to believe that the Government would not have a full public inquiry."

Four recruits at Deepcut - Private Geoff Gray, 17, Private Sean Benton, 20, Private James Collinson, 17, and Private Cheryl James, 17 - died between November 1995 and March 2002 from gunshot wounds.

Michael Burgess, the Surrey coroner, has recorded a verdict of suicide on Pte Benton and open verdicts on Pte James and Pte Gray. He has yet to hold an inquest on Pte Collinson.