Relatives of the dead recruits refuse to believe it was suicide

Surrey Police have refused to comment on the nature of the claims but said they were "in relation to female witnesses."

The force has also refused to say whether the alleged misconduct took place during the course of the officer's investigations.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: "A detective constable has been removed from the inquiry team after an allegation of inappropriate behaviour.

We are going to have to do a lot of soul searching now before we decide how to go on Des James, father of Private Cheryl James

"The officer was removed from the inquiry immediately after the allegations were made and resigned from Surrey Police prior to appearing for a disciplinary hearing."

The inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths of four young soldiers at the barracks between 1995 and 2002.

Private Geoff Gray, 17, from Seaham, County Durham; Private Sean Benton, 20, from Hastings, East Sussex; Private James Collinson, 17, from Perth, Scotland and Private Cheryl James, from Llangollen, north Wales, all died of gunshot injuries.

The families do not believe they committed suicide by turning their rifles on themselves, as army investigations found.

Confidence dented

We need a Kelly-style transparent inquiry with a judge calling witnesses who have to answer questions. Geoff Gray, father of Private Geoff Gray Q&A: The Deepcut mystery

Des James, the father of Private James, said the officer's resignation on Tuesday had dented his confidence in the investigation.

He said: "It is hanging in the balance, we feel let down.

"I think it is important to remember that we have been very supportive of Surrey Police, some of the other families have shouted about conspiracy theories but we have never done that.

"But we are going to have to do a lot of soul searching now before we decide how to go on."

Transparent inquiry

He and the other parents dismissed arguments that a public inquiry cannot be called while the police investigation is continuing.

Private Gray's father, also called Geoff, said: "We were told from the very start that Surrey Police would be open minded and I was optimistic about the inquiry. But now our confidence is waning."

He renewed his calls for a public inquiry into the deaths, saying: "We need a Kelly-style transparent inquiry with a judge calling witnesses who have to answer questions.

"That is the only way we are going to get the answers."