THE Government last night rejected calls for a public inquiry into the death of a North-East soldier, and three other privates, at a UK Army base.

The deaths, all by shooting and some initially recorded as suicide, happened at Deepcut barracks, Surrey and are being investigated by Surrey Police

They include that of Geoff Gray, 17, formerly of Seaham, County Durham, who was found with two gunshot wounds in September last year. His parents, Geoff and Diane, have been campaigning for an independent investigation into the deaths.

Baroness Crawley, for defence ministers, said at question time in the Lords: "At present, the Government does not believe that a public inquiry would be appropriate while these investigations are continuing by the local police force."

But she noted that the Commons Defence Committee would be holding an inquiry. There will also be an Army Board of Inquiry.

Labour's Lord Ashley of Stoke, calling for an independent investigations into "all non-natural deaths" in the Armed forces, said: "The recent events have seriously jeopardised the reputation of the Army for scrutinising unusual and unexpected deaths."

The police have said the Army's investigations were not carried out "comprehensively and properly".

But bereaved families are angry and resentful at what they see as cover-ups.

Lady Crawley told Lord Ashley: "Primacy in all non-natural deaths in these circumstances is with the civilian police force. That has always been the case and continues to be the case."

Surrey Police re-opened the first case after an internal review of their initial investigation.

"I would dispute the allegation that there has been any kind of cover-up," Lady Crawley said."The Army are working fully with the police in this matter and will continue to do so," she said.