Deepcut Dad Demands OC Face Inquiry

The dad of Deepcut victim Cheryl James fears the camp’s commanding officers will not be called before a new ‘independent review’ into mystery deaths at the barracks. Des James last night demanded the UK government spells out exactly how the review by a top human rights lawyer will be carried out. His call came after a government minister confirmed commanding officers at the Surrey camp will not be called before a government inquiry into forces’ training. Mr James now wants to know whether the new independent review will have the power to summon them. Pte Cheryl James, from Llangollen, was just 18 when she died from a gunshot wound to the head at the Surrey camp in 1995. An independent forensic expert said Cheryl and three other recruits did not commit suicide as the Army claimed. Frank Swann claimed the North Wales teenager may have been murdered. After numerous investigations the Government refused the families’ call for a public inquiry. Instead it set up an inquiry into the standards of training and care in all three armed forces. But defence select committee chairman Bruce George recently confirmed to Mr James that Deepcut’s commanding officers at the time of the deaths would not be called. Now Mr James, of Llanymynech, wants to know whether the commanding officers can be summoned before the review to be carried by a Queen’s Counsel.

‘We do not know whether he will be able to compel witnesses to attend. ‘The government are careful to call this a ‘review’ but the biggest mystery is whether or not the QC carrying out the review will have access to the Surrey Police investigation’

said Mr James.

Confidential details of the Surrey police inquiry into the deaths were leaked to the press. It revealed 170 allegations of gang rape, rape, sexual assault and bullying at Deepcut.

With acknowledgements to the Daily Post.