My conscience is clear, says Deepcut sergeant linked to bullying allegations

An army sergeant at the centre of bullying and intimidation allegations at a barracks where four young recruits were found dead with gunshot wounds dismissed the claims against him last night as "without foundation" and declared: "My conscience is clear."

Sergeant-Major Andrew Gavaghan was named in a BBC Panorama documentary about the headquarters of the Royal Logistics Corps in Deepcut, Surrey, as well as in several newspapers following the broadcast on Sunday evening.

The father of one recruit who was found dead described the programme as showing the "sinister culture of bullying and harassment" at the camp.

In a statement issued by his solicitors, Sgt-Major Gavaghan said: "The allegations levelled against me ... are without foundation. A picture has been painted of me that is completely at odds with the truth.

"I am proud that I hold an excellent record after 22 years' service in the Army, during which time it has been shown that I have always adopted a caring and professional attitude in my dealings with soldiers."

Parents of the soldiers have repeatedly called for a public inquiry into the camp after former soldiers at the base claimed recruits there suffered physical attacks, bullying and sexual harassment, often on a daily basis.

One lance corporal told Panorama that he believed 18-year-old Private Cheryl James, from Llangollen, north Wales, was driven to committing suicide after suffering sexual harassment at the camp.

Police are investigating Pte James's death as well as that of Pte Geoff Gray, 17, from Hackney, east London; Pte Sean Benton, 20, from Hastings, East Sussex; and Pte James Collinson, 17, from Perth, Scotland. All were found at the camp with gunshot wounds between 1995 and last year. The documentary also detailed allegations of five suicide attemptsat the barracks in 1995.

Pte James's father, Des James, said: "It goes without saying that we find these allegations very worrying ...We should make it clear that the Army have always told us that bullying was considered by them when they examined the events leading up to Cheryl's death in 1995, and was dismissed."

In his statement, Sgt-Major Gavaghan said: "I would like to point out that I have not been interviewed by Surrey Police in connection with their inquiries ... but I would welcome the opportunity to talk to them. My conscience is clear and I wish to help the inquiry in any way I can."

He added: "While I would like an opportunity to publicly refute the detail of the allegations made against me, it would be improper for me to do so at this stage as it may detract from the integrity of any on-going inquiry. However, once these inquiries are over I will be taking legal advice with a view to bringing actions for defamation."

A spokesman for the MoD said: "If anyone has allegations against individuals, they should be made known to the police. If people have allegations, they will be investigated and action could be taken."