A DAMNING police report on the way the Army cares for young soldiers will recommend the Government holds a public inquiry, The Northern Echo can reveal.
The document, due to be released today, is Surrey Police's fifth and final report into the deaths of County Durham soldier Geoff Gray and three other privates at Deepcut barracks, in Surrey.
It is expected to include powerful criticism of the Army and Ministry of Defence (MoD). The report will be the strongest lever yet for the families of the Deepcut soldiers - and others who died at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire - who have been campaigning for a public inquiry, a move backed by The Northern Echo.
The Government is expected to respond with a formal written statement acknowledging the report when it is officially published at 2pm today.
It is understood the Defence Select Committee will not comment on the report other than to consider it with a view to examining the Army's initial training regime.
Widespread bullying in the Army is expected to be one of the main issues in the report.
The criticisms are also believed to cover lack of supervision of soldiers, the need for stricter controls over weapons and unsatisfactory ways of dealing with vulnerable individuals.
The insensitive way the Army conducts itself with bereaved families will also be discussed.
The families of Pte Gray, Pte James Collinson, 17, of Perth, Pte Cheryl James, 18, from Wales, and Pte Sean Benton, 20, from Sussex, were last night locked in talks with their legal advisors.
Geoff Gray, father of Pte Gray, said: "This report looks at the big picture. What we have been told is that it is going to be very damning of the MoD and the Army."
Families are considering suing if the MoD is found to have failed in its duty of care to young soldiers.
Lynn Farr, whose son, Daniel Farr, died at Catterick in 1997, has been campaigning for an inquiry into non-combat deaths. She said last night: "All we know is that the report will have broader implications and could have a devastating effect on the Army.
"If the Government refuses a public inquiry there are other avenues the families can take.
"It now all depends of what the report reveals."
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