Deepcut Barracks could be destroyed

An announcement about the future of the notorious training base is expected in the coming days but it is understood to have fallen victim to the Government's Defence Training Review.

Deepcut and a number of other bases have been under review for some time as the Ministry of Defence looks at the way it provides training and whether any improvements can be made.

It is likely the base in Surrey, which is the main training centre for the Royal Logistics Corps, will be bulldozed to make way for a housing estate containing up to 5,000 homes.

Michael Gove, Conservative MP for Surrey Heath, claimed the decision would be seen as a "vote of no confidence" because of the current questions about the Government's commitment to the armed forces.

He said: "It is a pity that ministers are not prepared more vigorously to defend the team at Deepcut who have turned the base around and are delivering superb training."

Privates Sean Benton, 20, from Hastings; Cheryl James, 18, from Llangollen, North Wales; James Collinson, 17, from Perth; and Geoff Gray, 17, from Seaham, Co Durham, all died of gunshot wounds on the base between 1995 and 2002 following claims of widespread bullying and abuse.

Inquests into the deaths recorded a verdict of suicide in Pte Benton's case and open verdicts for the other three, but the families have always called for a public inquiry, rejecting the possibility that they had all committed suicide.

An independent review of the deaths, conducted by Nicholas Blake QC, later concluded the deaths probably were self-inflicted, but criticised army training, citing "harassment, discrimination and oppressive behaviour".

It is believed the closure of the Barracks, which trains thousands of recruits every year, will be staggered, with training at some level continuing in the short-term. Ministers are understood to be making a parliamentary statement this week detailing the closure but the MoD has refused to comment on the plans.