Army family victims lobby Westminster

Families affected by the deaths of loved ones in suspicious circumstances in the British Army have been in Westminster, London today to lobby MPs.

Among those at the gathering were the family of Northern Ireland soldier Paul Cochrane who shot himself at Drumad barracks in Co Armagh in 2001 after complaining about suffering abuse.

The Cochrane family have already called on support from local council's and MPs for an independent investigation into their 18-year-old sons death.

The inquiry has gained momentum following four cases of death at the Deepcut army base in Surrey.

The army have been accused of a cover-up after suggesting that the four soldiers had killed themselves using their own rifles.

The families, who are backed by more than 170 MPs, want a full independent inquiry.

The Ministry of Defence says a review of training of recruits is currently under way.

However, Paul Cochrane's father, Billy says the whole situation was becoming more "disgusting" as time went on. "There are more and more cases coming forward every day," he said.

"Their biggest battle now is not in some far off country like Iraq or Congo - their biggest battle now is in the courtrooms throughout Britain with other families like ourselves."

From 1990 to May 2002, 1,748 people have died from non-natural causes in and around military property.

(MB)