Cheryl James died in 1995

The father of a soldier from north Wales who died at an Army barracks is "hurt" that a Royal visit to the base went ahead.

Des James, from Llangollen, said the Princess Royal's engagement at Deepcut barracks in Surrey should have been postponed.

He said the visit, on Thursday, was inappropriate because the investigation into his daughter Cheryl's death had not yet been completed.

Cheryl James was one of four soldiers who died of gunshot wounds at the Royal Logistics Corps HQ at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Deepcut, between 1995 and 2002.

The deaths are the subject of a police inquiry after an Army verdict of suicide was disputed by the families, who hired a private investigator to look into the case.

'Hurt'

Mr James said Princess Anne's visit, which was to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of the base, was upsetting for his family.

"I feel it's the final insult, especially as the investigation into our daughter's death is ongoing," he said.

"It has hurt us so much. They've treated our families with disdain. "

He added: "It's nothing to do with Princess Anne, I've got nothing against her.

"I was not asking for it to be cancelled, only postponed."

Protest

The families of two of the dead soldiers held a silent protest at Deepcut during the Princess Royal's visit.

Geoff and Diane Gray, whose son Geoff, 17, from County Durham died at the base in 2001, were joined by the parents of James Collinson, from Perth, who also died there aged 17.

They stood at the entrance to the barracks holding four-foot high pictures of each of the four recruits.

Geoff Gray, 39, said he felt the celebrations at Deepcut were inappropriate.

"The timing is wrong, she could have postponed the celebrations until the investigations were over," he said.

'Insult'

"It is an insult not only to us but to the kids that have died.

"It is totally insensitive. We had the respect not to protest while the war in Iraq was raging.

"Princess Anne should have shown us the same respect."

An Army spokeswoman said Princess Anne had been invited to attend the anniversary some time in advance and did not want to disappoint her hosts.

The Princess was visiting in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Logistic Corps.

The Army spokeswoman added it was not felt necessary to cancel or postpone the visit because no findings had yet been reached in the inquiry.