| Private James Collinson was just 17 when he died at the Surrey army base five years ago and his parents have been unstinting in their demands for a full public inquiry into the circumstances.
Dad Jim and mum Yvonne are today attending a private army investigation into his death. It is understood they will be given the opportunity to suggest questions to key expert witnesses and soldiers as they give evidence at the board of inquiry in London.
The development is only the second time close relatives have been allowed to sit on a private hearing of this type.
The Ministry of Defence has insisted the investigation has been established not to apportion blame regarding James’s untimely death but to try to avoid a repetition.
Officials claimed it would neither be appropriate nor within the board’s powers to look beyond the open verdict or question witnesses about evidence given to the previous inquest.
The Collinsons have consistently questioned the “open” verdict into their son’s death and, while happy at the latest development, still believe a full public inquiry is the only way to find the peace of mind they crave.
The pair have been invited to hear the evidence from forensic experts along with two young soldiers who were on duty with their son on the night he died.
“I believe we will be sitting in the same as room as the witnesses as they give evidence,” Mr Collinson remarked. “Once they have left the room we will be asked if we have any further questions we would like to suggest. If the officer in charge believes them appropriate he can call the witnesses back.”
The board is expected to sit for one week.
“We have a number of questions we would like to ask,” Mr Collinson said. |
