AN inquiry is to be held by MPs after a damning police report criticised the way the Army cares for recruits.

Surrey Police released the results of their final report yesterday into the deaths of County Durham soldier Geoff Gray and three other privates at Deepcut barracks, in Surrey.

Detectives, who conducted a 15-month investigation into the deaths, have urged the Government to launch a broader inquiry into bullying and unexplained deaths at Deepcut and other UK Army bases.

The report - described as devastating by one MP - uncovered repeated examples of bullying at Deepcut and failure to learn the lessons of the past.

It said there were instances of bullying at the camp "in sufficient quantities to raise concern".

The report also highlighted concerns about the care and training of new soldiers in the Army in general and called on the Ministry of Defence to set up an "independent system of oversight" to protect vulnerable recruits.

Bruce George, who chairs the Commons Defence Select Committee, said it would hold its inquiry in public. The terms of reference had yet to be decided but it could include training and discipline.

Justin Hughston-Roberts, a solicitor acting for families at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, will meet the defence committee today to campaign for Catterick to be included in the inquiry.

Defence Minister Adam Ingram said that the Government would "look carefully at what benefits a broader investigation might offer and what form such an investigation might take."

Lynn Farr, whose son Daniel died at Catterick in 1997, said: "This is just the start. The inquiry could open doors for other families."

The report stemmed from the deaths of Pte Gray, 17, of Seaham, Cheryl James, 18, from Wales, James Collinson, 17, of Perth, and Sean Benton, 20, from East Sussex.

How did they die? - Page 12