Watch: Parents speak of relief as date for Cheryl James' inquest is set
The parents of Cheryl James, the soldier from the Shropshire border who died of a bullet wound at the controversial Deepcut Army barracks, say it is a huge relief that a date has now been set for a new inquest.
Des and Doreen James have also explained why they have called for their only daughter's body to be exhumed as part of the new inquiry into how she died.
In all four young soldiers died at the barracks. Privates Sean Benton, James Collinson and Geoff Gray also died from gunshot wounds.
There had been some suggestion from Surrey Police that it may be better to postpone the hearing so that new inquests could be held at the same time in one consolidated inquiry.
This could have delayed the inquest by years.
But this week coroner Judge Brian Barker QC ruled that Private James's inquest would be held on its own and would start on February 1.
Private James, 18, was found dead with a bullet wound to her head in November 1995. She was one of four soldiers who died at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying and abuse.
Last year High Court judges ordered a fresh inquest into Cheryl's death after they quashed an open verdict recorded in December 1995.
A pre-inquest review was held at Woking Coroner's Court on Tuesday.
Coroner Brian Barker QC said he would wait for a doctor's report before deciding whether the "difficult and unusual" step should be taken to exhume Cheryl James's body.
Mr and Mrs James, from Llanymynech, have spent more than a decade campaigning for a new inquest for their daughter.
They say original inquest lasted just an hour – key witnesses were not called, medical records went uninspected and important evidence was ignored.
An "open" verdict was recorded.
Mr James, who attended the hearing, said: "We are relieved that Cheryl's inquest will go ahead on February 1.
"What hasn't yet been agreed is our request for Cheryl's body to be exhumed but we do know there is no evidence as yet presented to link the rifle found next to Cheryl's body with her death.
"Bullet fragmentations at Cheryl's post mortem in 1995 were recorded as yellow in colour whereas the SA80 rifle she was was armed with used cartridges essentially red in colour.
"Obviously the decision to want your own daughter's body exhumed is not an easy one to reach, and we do not ask for this lightly," he said.
"We believe it is the right thing to do if there is to be a full and proper inquiry into Cheryl's death and if the ballistic evidence dispute is ever to be resolved.
"The coroner said that he would wait for a report from eminent Home Office pathologist Dr Nat Carey before he made his decision regarding exhumation.
"There will be another pre-inquest hearing on September 10 when we hope to find out what the coroner has decided."
From the outset Cheryl's death was treated as suicide, despite previous descriptions of her as "bubbly" and "happy".
Mr James said he and his wife had found what he called the 'time wasting' by Surrey Police, extremely stressful.
"We are pleased the matter of consolidation has finally been resolved.
"We look forward to progressing towards the inquest in February – but it is a sad irony that we have only come this far because of the Human Rights Act, which the Government seems determined to repeal."
