Police 'sorry' for Deepcut investigation mistakes

Surrey Police has apologised for the "mistakes" made during the initial investigation into the death of Private Cheryl James at Deepcut barracks.

Private James was found dead with a bullet wound to the head on November 27 1995, and a coroner on Friday ruled it was "self-inflicted".

During the inquest, Brian Barker QC delivered a scathing attack on the initial investigation into her death, which he described as poor, and said there was an early assumption of suicide.

In a statement read outside the Coroner's Court in Woking, Detective Superintendent Adam Hibbert said Surrey Police "have long accepted mistakes were made during this initial investigation, and has previously apologised to the family for those errors.

"Today, we would reiterate those apologies.

"The evidence has now been thoroughly examined throughout the new inquest, and our thoughts are with both Ms Jones' family and her friends. We hope they can take time to reflect upon the coroner's verdict.

"We are also acutely aware that today's findings will be relevant to the families of the other three young soldiers who died in Deepcut barracks between 1995 and 2002.

"I would like to take this opportunity reassure them that we will fully support any need for disclosure for any future potential coronial processes."