Open verdict on Deepcut soldier
Questions remain over the death of a teenage soldier at the controversial Deepcut barracks after an inquest jury returned an open verdict.
Private James Collinson, of Perth, was 17 when he died in March 2002 from a gunshot wound to his head.
The hearing follows inquests into the deaths of three other Deepcut soldiers from Hastings, Llangollen and Seaham.
Surrey Coroner Michael Burgess backed the four families' call for a public inquiry at into events at Deepcut.
Pte Sean Benton, from Hastings, Pte Cheryl James, from Llangollen, and Pte Geoff Gray, from Seaham, died at the barracks between 1995 and 2002.
Earlier inquests recorded verdicts of suicide for Pte Benton and open verdicts in the cases of Ptes James and Gray.
Mr Burgess said: "My personal view is that the MoD should take whatever steps are necessary to restore public confidence in the recruitment and training of young soldiers whether at Deepcut or elsewhere.
"I personally believe they have nothing to fear from an inquiry held in public where the various issues can be explored in greater depth."
He added that he would be writing to the defence secretary highlighting concerns on a number of issues including calling for possible improvements for the system of issuing weapons.
The inquest at Epsom heard that minutes before Pte Collinson's death he had borrowed an SA80 rifle, which he was too young to carry under Deepcut rules.
Pte Collinson was found dead near the perimeter fence of the camp, where he had been on night guard duty.
His death sparked massive media focus on the camp, drawing attention to the deaths of the three other soldiers.
Families of some of the four soldiers have spoken publicly about the possibility that their children may have been murdered or driven to suicide by what has been called a "culture of bullying".
Pte Collinson's inquest heard no evidence that he was bullied at Deepcut.
The findings of an independent review into the deaths are to be published by Nicholas Blake QC on 29 March.
Surrey Police's investigation was criticised in a review by Devon and Cornwall Police.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4788746.stmPublished: 2006/03/10 15:09:22 GMT
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