A FORENSICS investigator has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister after discovering a defect with the British Army's main assault rifle.

Independent expert Frank Swann made the discovery while conducting an investigation into the deaths of four soldiers, including North-East Private Geoff Gray, at Deepcut barracks in Surrey.

Mr Swann decided to go public about his findings after war against Iraq was declared, in the hope the Government would take appropriate action.

It has been widely reported that the SA80 rifle is prone to jamming, which becomes more frequent in hot and sandy conditions, but Mr Swann discovered that a "stovepipe jam" can often occur, a matter he said that had not been made known to service personnel.

He found that when the multiple targets were engaged from left to right at between five and 20 metres, the weapons tended to retain the fired empty cartridge, preventing a second round being chambered and discharged.

Mr Swann said: "This does not normally happen if the SA80 is moved swiftly from right to left.

"This type of jam is consistent with either repetition or automatic change lever fire modes.

"In my opinion, every serviceman and woman should be made aware of this defect and allow for its consequences.

"In multiple street fighting at short ranges they should not shoot left to right but engage right to left, it could save their lives."

He has faxed a letter to Downing Street asking for a meeting with Tony Blair to discuss the findings, but so far he has had no reply.

Recently soldiers from bases in Catterick, Ripon and Topcliffe, all North Yorkshire, have also questioned the weapon's track record.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said last night they were not aware of the defect identified by Mr Swann.

He said: "The model that was involved in Deepcut was the SA80 A1, which has been replaced by the SA80 A2, which has been issued to troops involved in Kuwait. Our tests have revealed it is one of the most reliable small arms rifles in the world."