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Deepcut deaths inquiry rejected Deepcut deaths inquiry rejected
(30 minutes later)
Armed Forces minister Bob Ainsworth has again rejected calls for a public inquiry into the deaths of two soldiers at the Deepcut barracks in Surrey.Armed Forces minister Bob Ainsworth has again rejected calls for a public inquiry into the deaths of two soldiers at the Deepcut barracks in Surrey.
He told MPs the release of Army Board of Inquiry reports into the deaths did not change the government's position.He told MPs the release of Army Board of Inquiry reports into the deaths did not change the government's position.
The findings about the deaths of Ptes Geoff Gray and James Collinson supported the coroner's open verdicts. He said the findings about the deaths of Ptes Geoff Gray and James Collinson supported the inquest verdicts.
The soldiers were among four who died of bullet wounds in separate incidents at the base between 1995 and 2002.The soldiers were among four who died of bullet wounds in separate incidents at the base between 1995 and 2002.
Pte Gray, of Seaham, Co Durham, died in September 2001, and Pte Collinson, 17, of Perth, died in March 2002.Pte Gray, of Seaham, Co Durham, died in September 2001, and Pte Collinson, 17, of Perth, died in March 2002.
You could murder someone at Deepcut and get away with it Jim CollinsonYou could murder someone at Deepcut and get away with it Jim Collinson
The other two soldiers who died from bullet wounds at Deepcut were Ptes Sean Benton, 20, of Hastings, East Sussex, and Cheryl James, 18, of Llangollen, Denbighshire.The other two soldiers who died from bullet wounds at Deepcut were Ptes Sean Benton, 20, of Hastings, East Sussex, and Cheryl James, 18, of Llangollen, Denbighshire.
In a written statement to the House of Commons, Mr Ainsworth said the Ministry of Defence did not believe there was "any wider public or service interest" in pursuing a public inquiry, given the "range of investigations" that had already taken place.In a written statement to the House of Commons, Mr Ainsworth said the Ministry of Defence did not believe there was "any wider public or service interest" in pursuing a public inquiry, given the "range of investigations" that had already taken place.
Both Board of Inquiry (BoI) reports supported the 2006 findings of the Blake Review into what happened at Deepcut, that there was "no substantial evidence" supporting third party involvement in Pte Gray's death, Mr Ainsworth said.Both Board of Inquiry (BoI) reports supported the 2006 findings of the Blake Review into what happened at Deepcut, that there was "no substantial evidence" supporting third party involvement in Pte Gray's death, Mr Ainsworth said.
In Pte Collinson's case, the BoI concluded there were no indications from his general behaviour during his time in the Army to suggest he was at any risk.In Pte Collinson's case, the BoI concluded there were no indications from his general behaviour during his time in the Army to suggest he was at any risk.
'Warm weapon''Warm weapon'
But Pte Gray's father, also named Geoff, repeated his call for a public inquiry, saying "new evidence" added weight to his appeal.But Pte Gray's father, also named Geoff, repeated his call for a public inquiry, saying "new evidence" added weight to his appeal.
He said a "warm weapon" had been found at Deepcut on the night of his son's death, which he believes could mean his son was murdered.He said a "warm weapon" had been found at Deepcut on the night of his son's death, which he believes could mean his son was murdered.
"If somebody had a warm weapon, in my mind that means that that weapon has been fired."If somebody had a warm weapon, in my mind that means that that weapon has been fired.
Cheryl James's parents said there had been "a lack of duty of care"Cheryl James's parents said there had been "a lack of duty of care"
"We need to know how that weapon was fired, where it was fired and, even more astonishingly, the ammunition that night was never counted back in so we don't know how many rounds were missing that night," Mr Gray told the BBC."We need to know how that weapon was fired, where it was fired and, even more astonishingly, the ammunition that night was never counted back in so we don't know how many rounds were missing that night," Mr Gray told the BBC.
The inquest into his son's death - from two gunshot wounds to the head - returned an open verdict, although a separate independent inquiry concluded Pte Gray had taken his own life.The inquest into his son's death - from two gunshot wounds to the head - returned an open verdict, although a separate independent inquiry concluded Pte Gray had taken his own life.
The father of Pte Collinson, Jim, said the BoI report appeared to admit to failures at Deepcut, and only an inquiry would ensure somebody was held answerable for the deaths.The father of Pte Collinson, Jim, said the BoI report appeared to admit to failures at Deepcut, and only an inquiry would ensure somebody was held answerable for the deaths.
"Since 1995 up to James's death in 2002 there have been a string of failures by the British Army over the manpower at Deepcut and the health and safety aspect at Deepcut," Mr Collinson said."Since 1995 up to James's death in 2002 there have been a string of failures by the British Army over the manpower at Deepcut and the health and safety aspect at Deepcut," Mr Collinson said.
"Somebody has got to be answerable for this."Somebody has got to be answerable for this.
"I don't see that the MoD or the government can sit there and say there's no need for a public inquiry when it cost the lives of young recruits.""I don't see that the MoD or the government can sit there and say there's no need for a public inquiry when it cost the lives of young recruits."
Mr Collinson said the report did not change his opinion that his son was murdered.Mr Collinson said the report did not change his opinion that his son was murdered.
"Deepcut was the perfect place for a murder. You could murder someone at Deepcut and get away with it," he said."Deepcut was the perfect place for a murder. You could murder someone at Deepcut and get away with it," he said.
'Untimely deaths''Untimely deaths'
The BoI reports, which were released to the families of both soldiers earlier this week, make 20 recommendations, ranging from supporting bereaved families to ensuring the continued improvement of training for troops.The BoI reports, which were released to the families of both soldiers earlier this week, make 20 recommendations, ranging from supporting bereaved families to ensuring the continued improvement of training for troops.
Mr Ainsworth said all the new recommendations had been addressed as there was "considerable overlap" with suggestions made in earlier reviews.Mr Ainsworth said all the new recommendations had been addressed as there was "considerable overlap" with suggestions made in earlier reviews.
Our family will never walk away from this Des and Doreen JamesOur family will never walk away from this Des and Doreen James
Apologising to the families of Ptes Gray and Collinson for delays in the release of the reports, he said: "The impact of their untimely deaths was felt, not just across the MoD, but across the nation.Apologising to the families of Ptes Gray and Collinson for delays in the release of the reports, he said: "The impact of their untimely deaths was felt, not just across the MoD, but across the nation.
"Our thoughts are with all their families and friends at this difficult time.""Our thoughts are with all their families and friends at this difficult time."
The parents of Pte Cheryl James, who died at Deepcut in November 1995, accused the government of trying to "sweep the matter away as old news".The parents of Pte Cheryl James, who died at Deepcut in November 1995, accused the government of trying to "sweep the matter away as old news".
In a statement, Des and Doreen James said there had been "an appalling lack of duty of care" at Deepcut with "not one single person or organisation" accepting any level of accountability.In a statement, Des and Doreen James said there had been "an appalling lack of duty of care" at Deepcut with "not one single person or organisation" accepting any level of accountability.
"Today's statement from Mr Ainsworth is another in a long line of disingenuous activities by this government designed more to sweep the matter away as old news rather than face up to their moral and legal obligations regarding these four young people," they said."Today's statement from Mr Ainsworth is another in a long line of disingenuous activities by this government designed more to sweep the matter away as old news rather than face up to their moral and legal obligations regarding these four young people," they said.
"Our family will never walk away from this. We owe that to our daughter."Our family will never walk away from this. We owe that to our daughter.
"Justice for four young people whose only contribution was to sign up to defend their country must be publicly transparent.""Justice for four young people whose only contribution was to sign up to defend their country must be publicly transparent."