HOME Secretary Jack Straw has agreed to look into the case of a teenage soldier who died after being bullied in the Army.

The 19-year-old's parents, Elaine and Owen Johnston, have been demanding an inquiry into the incidents surrounding their son Andrew's death. But Army officials claim there is little chance of an investigation because their chief witness is dead.

An inquest heard how Andrew, from Rockcliffe Street, Infirmary, Blackburn, was picked on while he was serving with the Queen's Lancashire Regiment in Wiltshire. He was given psychiatric help after being badly beaten up in the Tidworth barracks, but committed suicide six months later.

Mr and Mrs Johnston, both 44, spoke with Jack Straw when he held a surgery in his Blackburn constituency. Mr Straw said: "Obviously I cannot comment on the case until I have some information about what took place. I have passed the details on to Dr John Reid, Minister for the Armed Forces, and asked him to look into what happened."

The Blackburn MP added: "We will look very closely at the concerns of Mr and Mrs Owen. I am obviously very concerned for them and their profound distress at losing their son."

The couple, who are planning to sue the Army, welcomed the news.

Mrs Johnston said: "We were promised Andrew's death would not be swept under the carpet and there would be an inquiry.

"It seems that people were happy to let this drop, but at last something seems to be happening. Jack Straw spoke to us for about 20 minutes and said he would take Andrew's case up with the Ministry of Defence."

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