| Pte James Collinson (17), from Perth, was found dead with a single gunshot wound at Deepcut army barracks in Surrey in 2002. Following an open verdict from an inquest jury at Epsom last week, coroner Michael Burgess said the Ministry of Defence should have “nothing to fear” from a public inquiry.
And today, the SNP’s Perth and Perthshire North MP, Pete Wishart, was set to ask for an urgent question to be put to the MoD.
If the question is taken, he will ask for the MoD’s response to the coroner’s call.
Mr Wishart said, “We need to know what the Ministry has to say about the result of this public inquest, particularly the call from coroner Michael Burgess that a full public inquiry be held.”
He added, “We have heard some very unsavoury evidence concerning the existence of rival factions and a culture of bullying at the Deepcut barracks.
“Most of this could not be properly considered at this inquest.”
The Collinson family are already seeking new legal avenues, though a public inquiry remains their objective.
Their legal team is working on a judicial review to enable additional evidence to be heard.
“There is evidence the coroner would not allow as he could not within the framework of the inquest,” Yvonne Collinson said.
“We believe the additional evidence we have about the regime at Deepcut and the impact it may have had on James must be heard.”
The family is also waiting for publication of an independent review by Nicholas Blake QC, due to be published on March 29.
The report was commissioned by armed forces minister Adam Ingram to review urgently all four deaths at Deepcut.
Mrs Collinson added, “We were pleased, not only by the open verdict, but also that the coroner backed our call for a public inquiry. That is the strongest call yet and we intend to keep pushing.”
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