This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26725739
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Deepcut barracks death: New inquest hope for family | Deepcut barracks death: New inquest hope for family |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The family of a soldier who died at Deepcut barracks has been given permission to seek a fresh inquest. | |
| Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC said he would allow the family of Pte Cheryl James to ask the High Court to order a new investigation. | Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC said he would allow the family of Pte Cheryl James to ask the High Court to order a new investigation. |
| Pte James, 18, was found dead from a single gunshot wound in November 1995. An inquest recorded an open verdict. | Pte James, 18, was found dead from a single gunshot wound in November 1995. An inquest recorded an open verdict. |
| She was one of four soldiers who died at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying and abuse. | She was one of four soldiers who died at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying and abuse. |
| Privates Sean Benton, James Collinson and Geoff Gray also died from gunshot wounds. A coroner recorded a verdict of suicide for Mr Benton, but inquests into the other three deaths returned open verdicts. | |
| Sexual harassment | Sexual harassment |
| Responding to the attorney general's decision, Pte James's parents, Doreen and Des James, said it had been a "truly emotional day". | Responding to the attorney general's decision, Pte James's parents, Doreen and Des James, said it had been a "truly emotional day". |
| Pte James had been undergoing initial training at Deepcut when she was found dead with a single bullet wound to her head. | Pte James had been undergoing initial training at Deepcut when she was found dead with a single bullet wound to her head. |
| Mr and Mrs James believe their daughter, who grew up in Llangollen in Denbighshire, had suffered sexual harassment and bullying, and said her death was treated as a suicide, despite evidence to the contrary. | Mr and Mrs James believe their daughter, who grew up in Llangollen in Denbighshire, had suffered sexual harassment and bullying, and said her death was treated as a suicide, despite evidence to the contrary. |
| They had repeatedly called for a fresh inquest or inquiry after legal campaign group Liberty helped them to uncover failings in the original investigation. | They had repeatedly called for a fresh inquest or inquiry after legal campaign group Liberty helped them to uncover failings in the original investigation. |
| A spokesman for the attorney general said: "The application [to seek a new inquest] was made to the attorney general on the basis that the original inquest made insufficient enquiry into the circumstances of [Pte James's] death, and because new evidence is now available that was not put before the inquest in December 1995. | A spokesman for the attorney general said: "The application [to seek a new inquest] was made to the attorney general on the basis that the original inquest made insufficient enquiry into the circumstances of [Pte James's] death, and because new evidence is now available that was not put before the inquest in December 1995. |
| "The attorney general granted his consent because he concluded that it was in the interests of justice for the application for a new inquest to go forward and to be heard by the High Court." | "The attorney general granted his consent because he concluded that it was in the interests of justice for the application for a new inquest to go forward and to be heard by the High Court." |
| 'Relieved and delighted' | 'Relieved and delighted' |
| Second inquests can only be held if the High Court quashes the original verdict, following an application by the attorney general, or someone else acting with his permission. | Second inquests can only be held if the High Court quashes the original verdict, following an application by the attorney general, or someone else acting with his permission. |
| Mr and Mrs James said: "We're relieved and delighted by the attorney general's decision. It's truly an emotional day - it's been a long and painful process, with so many hurdles, but we never considered giving up. | Mr and Mrs James said: "We're relieved and delighted by the attorney general's decision. It's truly an emotional day - it's been a long and painful process, with so many hurdles, but we never considered giving up. |
| "Cheryl had her whole life in front of her. When our young people lose their lives serving their country, not only do they deserve a full and independent investigation into their deaths, it must be their absolute right. | "Cheryl had her whole life in front of her. When our young people lose their lives serving their country, not only do they deserve a full and independent investigation into their deaths, it must be their absolute right. |
| "We may now finally achieve a meaningful inquiry into her death and we hope it brings about real change for future recruits." | "We may now finally achieve a meaningful inquiry into her death and we hope it brings about real change for future recruits." |
| Liberty said that there were 44 volumes of statements, documents, notes and photographs which had not been fully or properly examined by the original inquest. | Liberty said that there were 44 volumes of statements, documents, notes and photographs which had not been fully or properly examined by the original inquest. |
| "The attorney general's decision gives Cheryl's grieving family a long-overdue chance to discover the truth," said Liberty's solicitor Emma Norton. | "The attorney general's decision gives Cheryl's grieving family a long-overdue chance to discover the truth," said Liberty's solicitor Emma Norton. |
| "Until now their battle for answers has been repeatedly snubbed by a state that views the fundamental human rights of our troops as an optional extra. This young girl was preparing for a career in service - the least her family deserves is justice." | "Until now their battle for answers has been repeatedly snubbed by a state that views the fundamental human rights of our troops as an optional extra. This young girl was preparing for a career in service - the least her family deserves is justice." |
| A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Pte Cheryl James. | A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Pte Cheryl James. |
| "This decision is a matter for the attorney general and the courts. "If a new inquest is ordered, we will of course provide support to the coroner when needed." | "This decision is a matter for the attorney general and the courts. "If a new inquest is ordered, we will of course provide support to the coroner when needed." |