Police team 'set up to aid Cheryl James inquest'
Surrey Police has revealed it had a dedicated team working to provide information for a new inquest on a young soldier from the Shropshire border.
The force has been criticised for suggesting that the inquest on Cheryl James, 18, should be postponed until a decision on any new hearings into the deaths of three other soldiers at Deepcut Army Barracks.
Private James, whose parents, Des and Doreen live in Llanymynech, near Oswestry, died at the barracks in Surrey in November 1995 from a gunshot wound.
She was one of four young soldiers who died at the barracksbetween 1995 and 2002, sparking allegations of bullying and abuse.
An initial inquest recorded an open verdict but that was quashed last July.
Mr and Mrs James and the civil liberties group, Liberty, this week criticised the Surrey force for suggesting that the inquest be postponed until it is known whether there will be fresh hearings into the deaths of Private Sean Benton, Private Geoff Gray and Private James Collinson.
The suggestion was made at a pre-inquest review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Surrey Police said in a statement: "His Honour Judge Barkerconsidered the arrangements for the fresh inquest which is to be held following a decision of the High Court in July 2014 that the original inquest into Cheryl James's death should be quashed.
"Surrey Police is supportive of the view that there should be a thorough inquest into the circumstances in which Private Cheryl James died. The force continues to provide voluntary disclosure of documents relating to Pte James and has a dedicated team to complete this as quickly and effectively as possible.
"At the pre-inquest review the judge was asked to consider the merits of holding any new inquests arising from the deaths of Private Cheryl James, Private Sean Benton, Private Geoff Gray and Private James Collinson, together or individually. This was raised as a matter for consideration and Surrey Police will fully support the coronial process.
"Our thoughts remain with the family of Private James."
Private James was undergoing initial training at Deepcut when she was found dead with a bullet wound between her right eye and the bridge of her nose.