New calls for Deepcut inquiry
Opposition parties have again issued calls for a full public inquiry into Deepcut barracks in Surrey.
The training centre became notorious after the deaths of four young recruits from gun shot wounds between 1995 and 2002. The families have always refused to accept the official verdict of suicide and have continued to campaign for a full public inquiry.
This has been rejected by the Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram who pointed to intensive coroner and police inquires, among them a 15-month investigation by Surrey Police. Though Surrey Police did not name any individual responsible for the deaths, it did conclude that there were failings in the Army’s duty of care towards young soldiers and called for a wider look into the Army’s training schemes.
Last night, Channel Four revealed details of a leaked annex of a police report, which included over 150 allegations of abuse – many of them of a sexual nature, including rape and gang rape.
The police though stress that all of the allegations are untested and that they have handed over details of the annex to the Royal Military Police. All of the allegations were made in confidence, so names have not been attached to the report. It is though believed that two individuals are now prepared to talk directly to the Royal Military Police.
Mr Ingram is expected to make a statement to the Commons on the new allegations later on Tuesday.
The SNP and the Liberal Democrats, who have previously campaigned for the public inquiry, said that the new details reinforced their case.
Lib Dem president Simon Hughes, whose constituency includes the relatives of one of those who died, said: “Today’s Deepcut barracks revelations are shocking, even if only some of them can be proved to be true.
“The results of the Surrey Police inquiry which have now come to light add great weight to the demands of the dead soldiers families. Only a public enquiry into the Deepcut army deaths will allow the truth to be known once and for all.
“The families and the MP’s who support them will not stop demanding the right to find out the truth. Both the army and the services generally will be better served in the long term by a prompt public enquiry.”
SNP MP for Perth, Annabelle Ewing, who again has constituency connections to the dead soldiers, said: “I am absolutely horrified to read the damning reports of the litany of very serious and disturbing incidents that have allegedly occurred at Deepcut over the last few years including allegations of rape, assault and sexual abuse.”
“In light of these damning reports the case for a public enquiry is now overwhelming. The Ministry of Defence can no longer sit on its hands.”
