A FAMILY fighting for justice for a North-East soldier killed in mysterious circumstances at the controversial Deepcut barracks last night won new political backing.

Shadow defence minister Gerald Howarth said in the light of new evidence on the death of Private Geoff Gray, of Seaham, County Durham, a further inquest should be considered.

Pte Gray, who would have celebrated his 21st birthday today, was found dead with two gunshot wounds to the head while on guard duty at Deepcut, in Surrey.

The Army believed he had taken his own life, but a coroner recorded an open verdict.

His parents, Diane and Geoff, are pushing for a new inquest into their son's death and, along with the families of three other dead Deepcut soldiers, are demanding a public inquiry.

After talks with the family at the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Howarth said he would support an inquest, but he said he was not convinced about a public inquiry.

He said: "I explained that we were not persuaded that a public inquiry would achieve the outcome they are seeking.

"I have agreed in principle to support them in their attempt to secure a new inquest into the death of their son.

"Given that the coroner returned an open verdict, that Mr and Mrs Gray were not legally represented at the inquest, and that more information has come to light, it seems to me that a further inquest ought to be considered."

New ballistics evidence has come to light casting doubts on whether Pte Gray killed himself. His family believe he was murdered.

Mr Howarth said they would reconsider the position on a public inquiry after the outcome of three separate probes by the Defence Select Committee, the Adult Learning Inspectorate and Mr Nicholas Blake QC.

After the meeting, Mr Gray said he would not give up the fight for a public inquiry.

He said: "We should be preparing for our son's birthday, not traipsing round the Commons. We only want what any parent would deserve, to know how their child died."