HUMAN rights organisation Amnesty International is demanding an immediate independent inquiry into allegations of bullying and sexual abuse at Army bases.

A report by the group says there is "a legitimate perception that there has been institutional collusion and cover-up" over the deaths of four soldiers at Deepcut barracks in Surrey.

And it also raises concerns about tragedies at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

The report, Army Barracks Deaths: Families Demand Justice, is due to be announced at a special meeting in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Parents of young recruits who died at Catterick will also address MPs about their concerns. A 20-year dossier of allegations was exposed by The Northern Echo last month during an investigation into the deaths of four soldiers at Catterick.

Geoff Gray, father of County Durham soldier Pte Geoff Gray, will also be at the meeting, where MPs, lawyers and military experts will be present.

Mr Gray's son died in mysterious circumstances at Deepcut, along with three other soldiers and he is demanding a public inquiry into all non-combatant deaths throughout the UK.

Mr Gray said: "I think there is a real problem at Catterick."

Following its own probe into Army culture, Amnesty International is challenging the Government to hold an immediate inquiry.

The organisation said it had received serious allegations regarding some deaths of Army personnel. In a statement it said: "Some of these allegations refer to possible unlawful killings - either intentional or as a result of negligence, through, the misuse of lethal weapons, deaths during strenuous training exercises and self-inflicted deaths, at times following bullying and other ill-treatment including sexual harassment by other soldiers and superiors.

"Since 1994, a total of 23 soldiers have died at Catterick as a result of peacetime incidents.

"Families of recruits based at these camps allege racial and sectarian abuse, rape and intimidation.

"Justice must be delivered to these families but it must also be seen to be delivered."

Amnesty said it was concerned the Army's internal complaints procedure had been unable to address systematic bullying of recruits.

A full public inquiry is needed, it concluded, to determine whether the culture, systems and procedures of the Armed Forces had in any way contributed to the fatalities.

Kevin McNamara MP said: "I am encouraged that 173 of my fellow Members of Parliament signed the Early Day Motion urging the Government to establish a tribunal of inquiry to look into these cases.

"Amnesty International's report will undoubtedly lend weight to the calls for an inquiry."