MPS were left shocked when a grieving father presented them with the remains of his dead soldier son during a Government inquiry into the Army's treatment of recruits.

Heartbroken Joe McGregor told members of the Defence Select Committee: "You have seen a photograph of my son alive - here he is dead."

The businessman removed an urn containing the ashes of his son, Derek, from a holdall and put it on a table in front of the startled chairman of the committee, Bruce George, and other members.

Some of the relatives at the hearing left the room.

Derek's mother, Liz McManus, was also present.

A committee spokeswoman said it had been an emotional hearing, and the incident happened at the end of the session so it did not need to be adjourned.

Mr McGregor, who had earlier passed around a photograph of his son at his passing out parade, had been invited to attend an informal meeting with the MPs, who are conducting a Duty of Care inquiry into how the Army treats recruits in phase one and phase two training.

His son was found dead at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, in July last year.

The 21-year-old Lance Corporal was with the 3 Close Support Medical Regiment, assigned to 24 Squadron, when he was found hanging in his living quarters.

He left a note that revealed incidents of beatings and an unwillingness by the Army to treat seriously his desperate pleas for help.

It is understood the soldier was beaten by officers while in Northern Ireland and was also subjected to an assault outside Catterick Garrison in the days before his death.

Mr McGregor, of Blackpool, has employed a solicitor to represent the family at an inquest into Derek's death, which is yet to be held by the North Yorkshire coroner.

He has also joined forces with pressure group Deepcut and Beyond, which is fighting for a public inquiry into non-combat deaths in the Army.

Members of the group, which includes families of dead soldiers from Deepcut barracks, in Surrey, and Catterick, gave evidence to the committee on Wednesday.

Mr McGregor was one of a number of relatives who were invited to an informal session on Thursday because their loved ones had not been in phase one or phase two training.

A spokeswoman for the Defence Select Committee said: "It was a very emotional session but very helpful for members.

"As for that particular incident, we would not like to formally comment."

It is not known how Mr McGregor managed to get the urn through security at Portcullis House, in Westminster.

He was unavailable for comment last night.