The long-awaited independent report into the deaths at Deepcut concluded yesterday that at least three of the four recruits who died probably killed themselves. It went on tosay that none of the squaddies had been 'bullied to death'. Liz Lamb answers the main questions.

WHO is Nicholas Blake QC and when was the report commissioned?

HE is a deputy High Court judge and a leading human rights lawyer. He has acted for a number of clients in military law, as well as in miscarriage of justice cases.

The Deepcut review was announced by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram on December 15, 2004.

The judge was asked to urgently review the circumstances surrounding the deaths in the light of available material.

WHAT evidence did Mr Blake look at?

DOCUMENTS were supplied by the MoD, Army and Surrey Police. These included records of meetings, personnel files, medical records, boards of inquiry details and casualty witnesses statements. Correspondence from witnesses, supplied in confidence, were also examined.

WHAT were his main conclusions regarding the deaths?

MR BLAKE found there was "no evidence that any of trainees were bullied to death".

The review concluded that, on the balance of probabilities, the deaths of Sean Benton, Geoff Gray and Cheryl James were self-inflicted. No comment was passed on James Collinson because the inquest into his death had not been heard while the report was prepared.

WAS evidence of bullying and abuse found?

THERE was no evidence found that any of the dead recruits were bullied, but it was found that some trainees at Deepcut experienced harassment, discrimination and oppressive behaviour.

Mr Blake described a "disturbing catalogue of allegations of misconduct".

The report cited examples of inappropriate behaviour that should not have taken place.

WERE any alleged perpetrators of abuse identified?

SPEAKING after the report was announced, Mr Blake said one of his central findings was an issue of "institutional failures to identify potential sources of risk and address them".

He alluded to "systematic failures" at Deepcut in regards to following up claims of abuse relating to a sergeant.

The lawyer said there was clear evidence of "foul abuse", which included trainees being slapped and punched.

Despite an investigation by the Royal Military Police, no one was prosecuted.

HAS there been an MoD cover-up over the deaths?

THE report concluded there had been no collusion, cover-up, breach of legal duty of care or any other failure to foresee or prevent any individual death.

DID the report recommend a public inquiry?

NO. Mr Blake said it was not necessary, but added it was up to Mr Ingram to decide whether a public inquiry would restore public confidence in the Forces.

WHAT are the main recommendations?

UNDER-17s to be trained only with their own age group and provision should be made for the welfare of 17-18-year-olds who train with adults.

* Army should check self-declared medical and social histories and encourage parental involvement in the selection process.

* Instructors should be vetted for their suitability to work with young people.

* Leave that has been granted should not be cancelled without good reason and the authority of the officer commanding.

* Trainees on guard duty should be directly supervised by a non-commissioned officer (NCO) or experienced adult soldier.

* The performance of armed guard duty by a trainee of any age should be directly supervised by an NCO or experienced adult soldier.

WHAT about young soldiers who want to get out of the Forces?

THE report said recruits that joined as minors who were now over 18 and unhappy should be able to leave.

SHOULD the Army be doing anything more to identify at-risk squaddies?

EVERY officer, NCO, civilian instructor and trainee should be alert to expressions of intention to self-harm, however trivial. These must be reported.

HOW can any bullies be weeded out?

MR BLAKE said all reasonable steps should be taken to encourage early reporting of complaints against staff.

Complaints of mistreatment, bullying and harassment should be promptly assigned to the Royal Military Police to investigate.

HOW should the Army deal with families in the event of a tragedy?

AFTER a death, a military liaison officer should be appointed, as well as a civilian police liaison officer.

* There should always be an inquest into a sudden death.

* The MoD should ensure that the family of a deceased soldier have access to legal advice

* Where there is a Board of Inquiry, the family of a deceased or injured soldier should be permitted to attend and be offered the opportunity to add information that may be relevant

* The family should receive all statements and reports into the death.