Army Officer Denies Being Apologist For 'Violent Regime' At Deepcut Barracks

Deepcut barracks in Surrey.

A senior Army officer has denied being an apologist for a regime of "violence, threats and intimidation" at Deepcut barracks and pushing for a verdict of suicide in the inquest into the death of a young soldier.

Private Geoff Gray, 17, from Hackney in east London, suffered two gunshot wounds to his head on 17 September 2001 at the Surrey base.

Brigadier Christopher Coles told the inquest: "I'm not pushing for any verdict in particular, it's not my business."

John Cooper QC, representing the family of Private Gray, told Woking Coroner's Court another recruit or recruits may have shot the teenager while he performed guard duty.

Mr Cooper told Brigadier Coles, who is the head of the Army services personnel group: "Let me be blunt, so there's no misunderstanding.

"I'm suggesting that your statement is designed to carry on and propagate the suicide scenario.

"You have been assuming suicide and continue to assume suicide when there's a wealth of material indicating that Deepcut was a very violent regime at the time Geoff died."

Mr Cooper did not say Private Gray was being bullied by officers or peers but suggested that a culture of violence at the base may have made it more likely Private Gray would have been attacked by a third party.

In 2002, a coroner recorded an open verdict in the first inquest into the death of Private Gray, originally from County Durham.

The new inquest is happening because Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC said he was satisfied fresh evidence had come to light.

Private Gray was one of four young soldiers to die at the Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying and abuse.

The inquest, which does not have a jury is listed to last until early May.