Barracks tragedy family wins right to apply for new inquest
The family of a young Army recruit from the Shropshire border who died at Deepcut barracks today won permission to apply for a fresh inquest into her death.
Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC has granted Private Cheryl James's family consent to apply to the High Court for a new investigation, nearly two decades after the incident.
Private James, 18, who grew up in Llangollen, near Oswestry, was undergoing initial training at Deepcut Barracks when she was found with gunshot wounds in November 1995.
She was one of four young soldiers who died at the barracks in Surrey between 1995 and 2002, sparking allegations of bullying and abuse. An inquest into her death recorded an open verdict.
Her parents, Des and Doreen James, from Llanymynech, near Oswestry, backed by Human Rights campaign group Liberty, called for a fresh inquest into her death, lodging an application with the Attorney General for consent to apply to the High Court for one.
And today a spokesman for Mr Grieve said he had granted his consent.
Mr James said today: "We're relieved and delighted by the Attorney General's decision. It's truly an emotional day – it's been a long and painful process, with so many hurdles, but we never considered giving up.
"Cheryl had her whole life in front of her. When our young people lose their lives serving their country, not only do they deserve a full and independent investigation into their deaths, it must be their absolute right."
Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP, said he felt great relief for Mr and Mrs James, saying they "deserve to know what really happened".
He said: "I have known Des for a long time and have worked with him on this.
"It is the result of long and determined campaign by Des and Doreen who never believed the first inquest was carried out properly.
"They deserve to know the truth about what really happened to Cheryl."
