THE family of a young soldier who died at Deepcut barracks have been given the go-ahead to apply for a fresh inquest.

Private Geoff Gray, 17, of Seaham, County Durham, was found with two gunshot wounds to his head on September 17 2001.

A coroner recorded an open verdict, which did not include a narrative conclusion, following an inquest in March 2002.

His family have won the right to apply to the High Court for a new inquest after Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC said he was satisfied fresh evidence had come to light.

He said: “Having considered the application, I have given consent to the family of Private Geoff Gray to apply to the High Court for a new inquest into his death.

“I am satisfied that there is new material evidence available that was not put before the inquest in 2001, and I believe that it is in the interests of justice for the application for a new inquest to be heard by the High Court.”

A new inquest can only be ordered by the High Court on an application made by the Attorney General or with his consent.

Last year a High Court judge gave the go-ahead for a fresh inquest into the death of Private Sean Benton, from Hastings, East Sussex, which is expected to take place at Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking from January 24 next year.