Derek McGregor alleged in a note he had been bullied

Joseph McGregor, from Blackpool, claims his son was driven to take his own life because his pleas were ignored.

Lance Corporal Derek McGregor was found dead at the Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire on 7 July this year. A note he had written detailed how he had been treated.

His father Joseph said that when he saw his son's body in his coffin he had facial injuries that were not attributed to his death.

North Yorkshire Police has confirmed it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr McGregor's death. He is the thirteenth soldier to die at Catterick since 1996.

[I intend to sue] not for the money, but for the principle, this shouldn't have happened to anybody Joseph McGregor, soldier's father

The inquiry comes as detectives in Surrey continue to investigate the deaths of four soldiers at Deepcut barracks.

On Wednesday Mr McGregor told BBC North West Tonight: "In the note [Derek left] he says he asked the Army for help and they called him a liar and said there was nothing the matter with him.

"In his note he said 'Maybe now I'm dead they will believe me'.

"I've seen a solicitor in Blackpool and he's looking at all the paperwork and I intend to sue the Army.

"This is not for the money, it's for the principle, this shouldn't have happened to anybody."

Full inquest

Mr McGregor said his son was not a "fighting man or a bully, he was just a nice lad".

"But when I saw his body in the coffin he had a black eye and cuts to his face, which were not attributed to his death," said Mr McGregor.

"When I asked what had happened, they said he had been involved in a fight the week before."

On Tuesday the Army said it could not comment on the case until a full inquest into Mr McGregor's death has taken place.