Shock as Deepcut probe continues

Clockwise from top left: Sean Benton, James Collinson, Geoff Gray and Cheryl James

The Surrey Police inquiry into four soldiers' deaths at Deepcut barracks is still ongoing, the force has revealed.

Families of the recruits, who thought the case was completed in 2003 when Surrey Police said nobody would be prosecuted, said they were shocked.

Surrey Police said the case was ongoing after refusing to release a report under Freedom of Information laws.

The force's investigation is still subject to two probes, by the Devon and Cornwall force and the police watchdog.

Concerns from the families led to the inquiries by the Devon force and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Nicholas Blake QC is also conducting a behind-closed-doors review of the deaths at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002 - all from gunshot wounds.

It is quite insulting to us. We are treated as if we are stupid Des James

Des James, father of Pte Cheryl James, 18, from Llangollen, north Wales, said his reaction was one of "utter amazement".

He said: "It is quite insulting to us. We are treated as if we are stupid."

Geoff Gray, father of Pte Geoff Gray, 17, from Seaham, County Durham, said: "We had been told it was over and done with ... so how can it be ongoing?"

Linda Benton, mother of Pte Sean Benton, 20, from Hastings, East Sussex, said: "I don't know what to say. I am shocked."

A date for an inquest hearing into the death of Pte James Collinson, 17, from Perth, is still to be set.

Freedom of Information

Surrey Police had been asked to release a report which the Devon and Cornwall force had conducted into the initial investigation.

But Surrey said it was entitled to an exemption because its investigation was still under way.

In a written response to a media request for the report to be released the force's information access manager Dave Edmiston wrote: "The Devon and Cornwall review forms part of the information held by Surrey Police in connection with the criminal investigation which, for the reasons stated above, is still ongoing."

A Surrey Police spokeswoman added: "We are still pursuing certain lines of inquiry."