THE family of a North-East soldier have criticised the delay of a report into changes the Army should make following his death.

Geoff and Diane Gray's son, Geoff, of Seaham, County Durham, was killed by two bullet wounds at Deepcut barracks, in September 2001.

Surrey Police investigated his death and that of three other privates at the base but concluded, in September, that there was no evidence to support families' claims they were murdered.

Four reports were released on the deaths but a so-called "fifth report" was due to be handed to the families, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces and the chairman of the House of Commons defence select committee in October.

The families said they were then told the document, which will look at how further tragedies such as those at Deepcut can be avoided, would be available in December.

Mr Gray said: "They have now told us it will be early in the New Year. They said it was delayed because they wanted to get it right.

"We find this most upsetting, bemusing and maybe politically motivated.

"Is it another case of waiting for a good day to bury news? I am very sceptical about it."

Surrey police have already identified 27 lessons learnt from the Deepcut investigation which have been given to the Association of Chief Police Officers with a view to establishing a best practice for investigation into deaths at military bases.

The "fifth report" will highlight police concerns about the current care and supervision of trainee soldiers.

A spokeswoman for Surrey police said: "The publication of the "fifth report" is now not likely to take place until mid January. It is a complex piece of work and it is important that the report is properly researched and presented before publication."