HOPES rose last night that the truth behind the deaths at Deepcut barracks will finally be uncovered when a leading human rights lawyer was picked to head a fresh inquiry.

Nicholas Blake, a colleague of Cherie Blair who has represented a Guantanamo Bay prisoner, will conduct an "urgent review" that is expected to take no more than six months.

Crucially, Mr Blake will be able to hear "any representations" - suggesting he will take evidence from the families of the Deepcut victims, who included Geoff Gray from County Durham.

But the QC will not be able to compel witnesses to attend. He can only "request" attendance, although Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram immediately promised full co-operation.

Delighted Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik, who has led the Westminster campaign for a public inquiry, said: "Blake will give us the answers, or put us on the path to those answers.

"It is to Adam Ingram's credit that he has listened and recognised that the circumstances surrounding the deaths at Deepcut should be subject to further and independent scrutiny."

Privates Geoff Gray, Cheryl James, Sean Benton and James Collinson all died from gunshot wounds in unexplained circumstances at the Surrey barracks, between 1995 and 2002. The Army has insisted all four committed suicide, but a coroner recorded an open verdict on Pte Gray's death. The parents have joined forces to demand a public inquiry.

Last month, Mr Ingram rejected a public inquiry as too time-consuming, but announced an independent review of no fewer than four previous investigations.

Mr Blake said he looked forward to meeting the Deepcut families and raised the prospect that "fresh lines of inquiry will emerge".

He said: "I hope that the announcement of this independent review will encourage others who have relevant information to give to come forward if they have not already done so.

"Those who wish to do so will be able to speak to myself, or those assisting me in this review, in confidence."

Pte Gray died from gunshot wounds in September 2001. He was shot twice, it was reported that a figure was seen running away and there were suggestions that his body was moved shortly after his death.

The pressure for answers rose further last week when Commons Leader Peter Hain said the four deaths were "too many to be a coincidence".

Giving evidence to the defence select committee yesterday, Mr Ingram said he believed it was better for Mr Blake's inquiry to be held in private, although that was a matter for the lawyer.

Any recommendation that a public inquiry was necessary would be listened to, but the minister insisted it would fail to get to the truth quickly.

Mr Blake, 55, has represented Feroz Abbasi, described as being detained in "a legal black hole" by the US at Guantanamo Bay.