Calls for public inquiry into abuse at Deepcut barracks

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The family of a young Hastings soldier who died of gunshot wounds at Deepcut 21 years ago, is calling for a public inquiry into the '˜toxic' environment at the barracks.

Human rights organisation Liberty has written to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon to request a public inquiry into alleged physical and sexual abuse at Deepcut.

The call comes in the wake of the inquest into the death of Private Cheryl James – who died at Deepcut in 1995 – which exposed to public scrutiny the toxic, violent and sexualised environment in which Cheryl and other young soldiers lived.

Since the inquest, a number of soldiers have come forward claiming they have suffered physical violence or sexual abuse at the camp.

Liberty has written to Mr Fallon on behalf of the families of Privates Sean Benton from Hastings, Cheryl James and James Collinson – three of the four young soldiers who died at Deepcut between 1995 and 2002 – who all support a public inquiry into the experiences of those who suffered and survived their time there.

The request has also been made on behalf of former Deepcut recruits Mark Harrison, who says he was the victim of sexual assault and rape while serving at the barracks, and Daniel Griffiths, who alleges that he suffered a serious physical assault at the hands of a superior.

The families and victims wish to see a thorough and independent investigation into:

* The large number of allegations made by servicemen and women about their treatment at Deepcut between 1993 and 2002.

* The sexualised culture at the barracks.

*Serious deficiencies in current legislation covering the Armed Forces, which mean members of the military are still not guaranteed a fair and independent investigation, should they report being the victim of crime.

Following its 2002-2003 investigation into four deaths at Deepcut, Surrey Police presented the Army with a dossier of 118 separate “duty of care and bullying issues”.

However Liberty says that “very few appear to have been tested or investigated”.

Last week The Attorney General gave consent for the family of Private Sean Benton to apply to the High Court for a fresh inquest into the circumstances around his death.

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