THE Government has rejected further calls that an investigation into the death of a North-East soldier and three others be held in public.

The call came from Labour's Lord Ashley of Stoke, who wanted the hearing into the deaths of the four young soldiers at Deepcut Army barracks to be an open hearing.

At the House of Lords yesterday, he was told by Defence Minister Lord Bach that Nicholas Blake QC, who would be conducting the review, was "one of the most distinguished civil and human rights QCs that there is, who will undoubtedly produce a piece of work that will be both independent and of great value".

Families of the dead soldiers, including Private Geoff Gray, of Seaham, County Durham, have been campaigning for a public inquiry into the deaths.

Privates Cheryl James, Sean Benton and James Collinson also died from gunshot wounds in unexplained circumstances at the base between 1995 and 2002.

Lord Ashley said: "We have had four dead soldiers at Deepcut Barracks, hundreds of complaints about bullying and brutality and allegations that mention rape and torture, many distressed families, a new Freedom of Information Act, and this inquiry is to be held in secret. Have I got it right?"

Lord Bach replied: "No. Of course, there were the four deaths and some serious allegations have been made to the Surrey Police.

"The Army received the schedule in which the allegations were contained in June, which don't include any names, just the broad details of allegations.

"It is understood that the vast majority are uncorroborated and the Surrey Police will not be making any investigations other than in one case.

"The Army has asked Surrey Police for the names and consent of the individuals who made the allegations to enable the Royal Military Police investigations to commence, and consent has been granted in two cases."

l A leaked police report in November showed more than 100 allegations of serious abuse had been made at the barracks, including incidents of gang rape, systematic bullying and sexual harassment.