A CORONER has backed calls for a public inquiry into non-combat deaths in the Army, saying the armed forces had nothing to fear.

Michael Burgess said it was his personal view that a probe would help to restore public confidence in the recruitment and training of young soldiers.

The coroner made his comments at the conclusion of an inquest into the death of Private James Collinson, from Perth, who was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head at Deepcut Barracks, in Surrey, on March 23, 2002.

The 17-year-old died six months after Private Geoff Gray, of Seaham, County Durham, was discovered dead at the base. He had two gunshot wounds to the head.

Speaking after a jury returned an open verdict, Mr Burgess said: "My personal view, and I emphasise that it is a personal view, is that the Ministry of Defence should take whatever steps are necessary to restore public confidence in the recruitment and training of young soldiers, whether at Deepcut or elsewhere.

"I personally believe that they have nothing to fear from an inquiry held in public, if that is what is necessary, where the various issues, outside the direct causation of the deaths of James and others, can be explored in greater depth and where the MoD can demonstrate, as the jury, counsel and I had demonstrated to us, that there really is a lot of good in the system."

Pte Gray's father, also called Geoff, welcomed the coroner's comments. He said: "Realistically, we have taken a huge step forward. John Reid, the Defence Secretary, must listen to Mr Burgess, the coroner."

Mr Gray's wife, Diane, added: "He has recommended an inquiry in public and from what he has described, to me that would say public inquiry."

The inquest, at Epsom magistrates court, in Surrey, heard that minutes before Pte Collinson's death, he had borrowed an SA80 rifle, which he was too young to carry under Deepcut rules, and walked off alone, saying he wanted to have a cigarette.

Pte Michael Foody and Lance Corporal Scott Smith, separately told the jury that Pte Collinson had told them earlier that evening that he would shoot himself if he got his hands on a gun.

John Cooper, the Collinson's barrister, described the coroner's comments about an inquiry in public as "devastating" for those opposed to a public inquiry.

In a direct call to the Ministry of Defence, Pte Collinson's father, Jim, said: "Our question is what are they scared of, what are they frightened we will find out?"