A review into the death of a young soldier at the Deepcut Army barracks where Private James Collinson from Perth died in mysterious circumstances opens on Tuesday.
The father of Private Cheryl James, 18 said the family is “finally close to gaining justice” ahead of a pre-inquest review into her death.
Pte James was undergoing initial training when she was found dead with a bullet wound between her right eye and the bridge of her nose in November 1995.
She was one of four soldiers, including James Collinson, who died from gunshot wounds at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying and abuse.
Last year High Court judges ordered a fresh inquest into Pte James’s death after they quashed an open verdict recorded in December 1995.
The pre-inquest review will consider Surrey Police’s request that Pte James’s inquest should be heard alongside inquests into the deaths of the other three soldiers.
Her family have voiced concerns that doing so could cause further delays because fresh inquests have yet to be ordered into the deaths of Pte Benton, Pte Collinson and Pte Gray.
Pte James’s father Des James said: “Each of the young people who died at Deepcut deserves the dignity of their death being individually investigated.
“After a two-decade battle, we’re finally close to gaining justice for Cheryl but it’s a sad irony that our new Government is now intent on axing the Human Rights Act, without which we could never have got this far.”
The coroner is also expected to decide whether Pte James’s body will be exhumed, the date and scope of the inquest and whether there will be a jury .
Emma Norton, lawyer for Liberty which is representing the family, said: “Cheryl’s family have had to fight every step of the way for answers about their daughter’s death – and thanks to the Human Rights Act, justice is finally within reach.
“Twenty years on from her death, her parents deserve answers – not the cruelty of further delays.”
Meanwhile, Liberty paid tribute to Pte Benton’s mother Linda, who died on Friday.
“Linda remained determined to the end,” Ms Norton said. “She refused to accept that Sean had simply committed suicide. The rumours of bullying, abuse and the fundamental unanswered questions were too strong and too real to ignore.”