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VC hero Gurkha banned from living in Britain 'because he has no strong ties with UK'
Last updated at 18:06pm on 25.05.07His courage in the face of almost certain death earned him the Victoria Cross.
Tul Bahadur Pun single-handedly stormed Japanese machine-gun positions during the Second World War.
The Gurkha's extraordinary act of valour won him royal admirers and he was invited to the Queen's Coronation and had tea with the Queen Mother.
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Old soldier: 84-year old Tul Bahadur Pun, who earned his VC in Burma on June 23, 1944, after almost all his comrades were wiped out, is being denied entry
Yet, despite his illustrious record, his application to live in Britain has been refused.
The old soldier was told: "You have failed to demonstrate that you have strong ties with the UK."
Lawyers acting for Mr Pun, 84, along with 2,000 former Gurkhas, will appeal before the immigration courts in London in August.
Mr Pun, who has a number of serious health problems, must hope he can survive the intervening months in his home in Nepal.
He has a heart condition, poor eyesight, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and he requires daily medication – which is not always available where he lives.
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Young hero: Tul in 1953, nine years after he won the VC
Mr Pun, who receives a £132-amonth Army pension, wants to move here because of his health.
However, among the reasons officials gave for refusing his plea was that he had "not produced satisfactory evidence" that he had a "chronic or long-term medical condition", and that treatment here would significantly improve his quality of life.
"I have served the UK with the utmost loyalty and to be treated in this way is appalling," he said.
"I take a substantial amount of medication daily. There is not always a constant supply.
"There are no doctors or nurses, no medical outposts.
"I wish to settle in the UK to have better access to medication, care and support."
He has to travel from his mountain home to the Gurkha camp at Pokhara once a month to collect his pension.
It involves a day's walk and he has to be carried in a basket by several men.
Mr Pun earned his VC in Burma on June 23, 1944, after almost all his comrades were wiped out. He seized a Bren Gun and, firing from the hip and running through ankle-deep mud, he ignored Japanese fire to storm machine gun positions.
His official citation read: "His outstanding courage and superb gallantry in the face of odds which meant almost certain death were most inspiring and beyond praise."
His Ealing-based solicitor Martin Howe said former Gurkhas such as Mr Pun have to show "strong reasons" – which can include medical needs and family ties – why they should be allowed into the UK.
He criticised Government officials in Nepal for being "too formulaic" in their approach. "They don't take into account the dignity and valour of these people," he added.
"This man was prepared to lay down his life in defence of Britain."
In Burma the Gurkhas fought with the special forces group known as the Chindits. Major Neville Hogan, chairman of the Chindits Old Comrades Association, said: "I can't think of a braver soldier who served the British Crown. I have met him three or four times.
"The decision to refuse him entry is an absolute bloody disgrace. He should be sent to an army hospital or a home and given VIP treatment."
The Home Office said an independent immigration judge had powers of discretion on appeals from applicants such as Mr Pun.
Reader views (19)
What this country needs right now, is more Gurkhas & less Labour politicians!
- Steve, Driffield, 24/04/2009 15:05
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An absolute disgrace, I am ashamed to be British. A Victoria Cross winner is deemed to have failed to demonstrate that you have strong ties with the UK. Shame on our Government for allowing this situation to even happen.
- B.Bough, Coatbridge, 25/05/2007 13:52
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Surely being awarded a Victoria Cross for services to Britain, you should be allowed to walk in and out as you see fit. In fact, you should be given free travel, a place to live and some servants to help you with your shopping! Why can this country's government not enforce the things that make us proud to be British like rewarding bravery for one?
- A.Noyd, London, 25/05/2007 13:32
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Let all the Gurkhas in. Sorry, but this is typical of what B-Liar is doing to Britain. New Labour don’t seem to like old soldiers who disagree with them. Remember Walter Wolfgang?
- Michael, Birmingham, England, 25/05/2007 13:31
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"You have failed to demonstrate that you have strong ties with the UK."
Surely fighting for this country at war makes you pretty strongly tied to it? How has this escaped the warped logic of the immigration control?
- A.Noyd, London, 25/05/2007 13:29
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Anyone who fights for the country should be allowed to live here. All the Gurkhas should be allowed to live here.
- Mick Griffin, London, England, 25/05/2007 13:25
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Why should anyone put their life on the line for this country when bravery and gallantry are rewarded in such a tawdry, shameful manner.
- Warren Alexander, London, UK, 25/05/2007 13:01
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Just when you thought that these pedantic bureaucrats could not stoop any lower! What is it with civil servants and lack of common sense and decency? Do the right thing... Please
- Ray, London, England, 25/05/2007 11:50
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What do you expect from this government who openly let terrorists walk through the door but refuse entry to a real hero of Britain? This man has earned the right to come to England and have free housing and health care and I do not mind my taxes going to help people of this calibre. Bring him over as soon as possible and lets give him a little something back for his generosity to us.
- Steve, London, England, 25/05/2007 10:47
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It is a disgrace that as a country we seem to let all sorts of undeserving cases into the country and don't allow a VC who has served this country with such distinction. I agree with Mark of SE London who suggests that Mr Pun be sent to an army hospital, if only we had one to send him to. Perhaps it is no surprise at the disdain towards Mr Pun when the government treat our own soldiers so badly.
- John, Carshalton, UK, 25/05/2007 10:35
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Absolute scandal this man fought for this country he's more entitled to be in this country then all the economic migrants we are currently letting in.
- Steve, halstead, 25/05/2007 10:34
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I'm increasingly ashamed of my country and all it stands for. I hope Mr.Pun will come to realise that this is the action of our government and not our people, for they no longer represent the will of the people.
- Jane, London, 25/05/2007 10:15
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With its "walk-in immigration policy", the UK allows in hundreds of economic migrants every day. Hardly any end up leaving. Yet when a person who could have died for the UK applies through appropriate legal channels, this is what happens. If I were the gentleman in question, I'd forget going through the legal channels and just arrive. It's a sad day when those who act illegally are in a far better position than a person who goes through the proper legal process. Just shows what a total mess the UK entry policies are.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 25/05/2007 10:10
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Stories like this made me mad. How come someone who has put their life on the line for this country is treated so appallingly, yet other less deserving people seem to gain access to this country and all it's state benefits with relative ease? I hope this decision is overturned. I'd much rather have people like this gentleman in our country than many of the others who come here and give nothing back.
- Julie, London, 25/05/2007 09:26
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As ever - fight for the country and get treated like dirt. Fight against it and be welcomed with open arms.
- Ian, London, 25/05/2007 08:59
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"The decision to refuse him entry is an absolute bloody disgrace. He should be sent to an army hospital or a home and given VIP treatment."
Spot on.
- Mark, South-East London, 25/05/2007 08:12
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This has got to be a joke! This man should be allowed to come into this country and be honoured for what he done for ALL of us. What kind of mesage does this give to rest of the world?
- Martin Barrett, Gravesend. Kent, 25/05/2007 07:04
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What disgraceful treatment for an "old Soldier of the Crown". The immigration judge should be sent to Nepal, perhaps then they would then see the error of his misjudgement?
- S_Sd, Vancouver, Canada, 25/05/2007 05:37
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The immigration people should be ashamed of themselves to refuse Mr. Pun entrance to England, he has done more for the country than they have I expect.
- Mrs. Taylor, Newbury, England, 25/05/2007 03:22
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