A SOLDIER who has gone into hiding after allegations he was attacked by senior non-commissioned officers claimed last night bullying was routine at Britain's biggest Army base.

Lee McDonald spoke out after the release of a video showing the apparent abuse of recruits at the Army's School of Infantry, at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

The Ministry of Defence has launched an immediate investigation after the footage, which shows recruits hooded and forced to assume humiliating poses, was leaked to the media.

Mr McDonald has been absent without leave since he fled Catterick in March and is in a safe house, at a secret location, provided by the families of soldiers who died at the base.

The 20-year-old said he was too frightened to return to the barracks and wanted to be formally discharged from the Army.

He said: "It didn't just happen to me, it happened to others. I thought about committing suicide - it got so bad.

"I had had enough. I got put on anti-depressants and thought no one could help me. My girlfriend brought me out of it and has been very supportive."

Mr McDonald, from Liverpool, said he joined the base's infantry training centre in September 2002, and after six months was transferred to the King's Regiment, where he spent time with A and D company before running away.

He said: "A few of the lads were getting bullied. I moved company to get away from it, but it started happening again.

"I was pinned against the wall, I was punched, and they just laid into me.

"It happened every day and started to get worse. I could not handle it any more."

Mr McDonald, who served six months in Iraq, contacted Forces Helpline, run by North-East men Malcolm Thorn and Ged Walton, and was put in contact with military lawyer Justin Hugheston-Roberts, who is trying to get him formally discharged.

He was also given refuge at the safe house after he was helped by Joe McGregor and Lynn Farr, who are part of pressure group Deepcut and Beyond.

Mr McGregor, whose son, Derek, was found dead at Catterick in July 2003, said the video footage added weight to calls for a public inquiry.

He said: "There must be an inquiry. The Army is not a law unto itself and must be accountable. They cannot get away with it."

Human rights organisation Amnesty International reiterated its calls for an inquiry in the wake of the undercover video footage.

Media director Mike Blakemore said: "When the British Army has banned the hooding of prisoners, why is it apparently hooding its own recruits?"

The MoD said the Royal Military Police were investigating claims of abuse and the allegations were serious.

A spokeswoman for Catterick Garrison said: "The Army has a policy of zero tolerance of bullying and any allegations are thoroughly investigated and action taken.

"Personnel have the right to live and work in an environment free of harassment, intimidation and discrimination."