Stress of deportation battle 'killed' exemplary Gurkha soldier, 55

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Handout photo dated 24/06/2008 of Purna Gurung, 55. The Gurkha who was waiting to hear whether he would be allowed to settle in the UK has died from high blood pressure caused by the stress of his situation, his friends said today. Retired corporal Purna Gurung had also borrowed money as he was not allowed to work until he was granted indefinite leave to remain here, friends said. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday July 17, 2008. See PA story DEFENCE Gurkhas. Photo credit should read:Gopal Kumar Rai/PA Wire

An 'exemplary' Gurkha soldier who was fighting deportation from Britain has died suddenly.

Friends said 55-year-old Purna Gurung had been suffering from high blood pressure due to stress.

The retired corporal had spent 15 years in the Army, earning a string of medals.

But he was refused permission to stay in Britain, and faced a huge medical bill after his wife Chandra, 46, collapsed in a diabetic coma earlier this year.

She recovered only after ten days' hospital treatment which the couple, who were living in Nottingham, were told they must pay for.

Angry friends said Mr Gurung had to borrow money and was plagued by worries about his future.

The couple moved to the UK from Nepal last year after ministers announced that some Gurkhas who retired before 1997 could settle here.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: 'This is a tragedy. The Government's treatment of retired Gurkhas who have bravely served this country is shameful.'