Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ministry of Defence may close Deepcut

Paul Peachey
Friday 22 November 2002 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The army barracks at the centre of a police investigation into the deaths of four young soldiers may be closed as part of Ministry of Defence cuts.

Deepcut Barracks in Surrey is one of eight sites earmarked for closure as part of a major change in training.

Detectives are investigating the deaths of the four, all found with gunshot wounds at Deepcut, the headquarters of the Royal Logistics Corps.

The Army initially insisted the deaths, between 1995 and earlier this year, were suicides but the claim has been disputed by the victims' families.

They are demanding a public inquiry into allegations that a culture of bullying has been covered up. Last month, the families of 15 young soldiers who died at British bases gathered at Westminster to press their demands. They said that nearly 1,800 young servicemen and women had died outside of combat since 1990.

Police are investigating the deaths of Privates Geoff Gray, from Hackney, east London; James Collinson, 17, from Perth; Cheryl James, 18, from Llangollen; and Sean Benton, 20, from Hastings, East Sussex.

The Ministry of Defence review is aimed at "rationalising" training. A spokesman said the possible closure of Deepcut had nothing to do with recent events. "This was all set out in the Strategic Defence Review long before any investigations into conduct at Deepcut".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in