Tears over 'shameful betrayal' of Gurkhas denied right to live in UK

Published on Friday 24 April 2009 22:20

CAMPAIGNERS condemned new rules giving more Gurkhas the right to live in Britain as a "disgrace" yesterday.

Immigration minister Phil Woolas said the changes would allow around 4,300 more former Gurkhas to settle here out of the 36,000 who served in the British Army before July 1997. Supporters of the Gurkhas said the criteria were "unattainable". Actress Joanna Lumley said she felt ashamed of the government.

Ragprasad Purja, 43, a Gurkha for 17 years, said: "It is the saddest day for the Gurkhas and the saddest day for the British government.

I was proud of my service, but now I am very sad."

Mr Purja, who was discharged after 1997, said he would continue campaigning for the former Gurkhas who have been refused permission to settle in the UK. "It's not justice, so we'll keep on fighting," he said.

Mr Woolas said: "Because of rules brought in by the government, we have already welcomed around 6,000 Gurkhas and family members to Britain. Now, another 10,000 Gurkhas and family members will be able to benefit."

But lawyers for the Gurkhas argued that fewer than 100 people, largely officers, would meet the new requirements and vowed to return to the courts.

David Enright, of Howe & Co solicitors, said: "They have set criteria that are unattainable. They require a Gurkha to serve for 20 years, but a rifleman is only permitted to serve for 15 years. It's a sham and an absolute disgrace."

Ms Lumley, a long-time supporter of the Gurkha Justice Campaign whose father fought alongside the elite soldiers in the Second World War, said: "The Gurkhas cannot meet these new criteria. It makes me ashamed of our government.

I can only think they have no notion of the armed services."

She vowed to continue the campaign, saying: "We don't give up the battle just because one of the tactics has failed."

Rules introduced in 2004 allowed serving Gurkhas with at least four years' service to settle in the UK, but did not apply to those discharged before 1 July, 1997.

Yesterday's government announcement followed a High Court ruling last year that immigration guidelines on older veterans were unlawful.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown stressed that Gurkhas who had served for a long time, suffered injuries or received gallantry awards, could live in Britain. "There used to be a bar at 1997, but we've moved that right back to make it possible for people to live in this country," he said.

Gurkhas and their families will be allowed to settle in Britain if they have three years' continuous residence here during or after service, or close family in the UK.

They will also be able to stay if they have a high-level bravery award (including the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order or Military Cross), or have served 20 years or more in the Gurkha brigade

A chronic or long-term medical condition caused by, or aggravated by, service in the brigade, will also let them stay.

If they fulfil any two other conditions, they will also be eligible: they were awarded a Ministry of Defence disability pension but no longer have a chronic medical condition; they have been mentioned in dispatches; they have served ten years; or they have a campaign medal for active service in the brigade.