A SERGEANT major named on television as the man at the centre of bullying allegations at an Army camp has been interviewed by police.

Sergeant Major Andrew Gavaghan, an Army welfare officer at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was portrayed by BBC TV's Panorama as a bully who picked on recruits at Deepcut barracks, in Surrey.

In a statement issued by his solicitor, Sgt Maj Gavaghan said the allegations against him were without foundation and his conscience was clear.

The camp has come under intense scrutiny during the past year following the deaths of four soldiers, including Private Geoff Gray, 17, of Seaham, County Durham.

Sgt Maj Gavaghan and another soldier, whose identity has not been disclosed, have been interviewed by detectives investigating the deaths.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "A serving soldier attended a police station by appointment on December 18 and was interviewed under caution in connection with a number of issues arising from the Deepcut inquiry.

"He has not been charged with any offence. He was not arrested and he is not on bail."

The other soldier has been questioned for a second time. He was interviewed in October in connection with the death of Private Sean Benton, from Hastings, East Sussex, who was found with five gunshots wound to his chest at Deepcut barracks in July 1995.

The same soldier was brought back in to be questioned again in December.

The police spokeswoman said: "The soldier attended the police station on October 23 and was interviewed under caution in connection with evidence given during the proceedings in relation to the death of Sean Benton.

"He was re-interviewed. He has not been charged with any offence."

Surrey Police are continuing to investigate the deaths of the four privates. Independent forensic expert Frank Swann is carrying out tests at Deepcut Barracks this week on behalf of the dead soldiers' families.

He was given permission to enter the barracks by Defence Minister Adam Ingram.