War hero Gurkha wins visa U-turn

But following a Daily Mail campaign he can now move to Britain for the expert medical care he so badly needs.

A surprise Government U-turn has reversed a previous decision to deny the veteran a settlement visa.

Mr Pun, 84, was awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest honour for military gallantry - after singlehandedly storming Japanese positions during the Second World War. But despite his bravery, he was banned from coming to live here because he did not have 'strong ties with the UK'.

The decision prompted outrage, with more than 12,000 signing a petition on the Downing Street website calling on Tony Blair to 'give all Gurkha servicemen and their immediate families, past and present, British citizenship'.

And a week after Mr Pun's plight was highlighted by the Mail, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne agreed he deserved to be honoured for services to Britain.

Mr Pun has heart problems, asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure and needs daily medication not always available in Nepal.

At the moment the Gurkha, who receives a £132 a month Army pension, has to endure a one-day walk, carried in a basket, from his home to the Gurkha camp at Pokhara to collect medicine.

Last night, his solicitor Martin Howe welcomed the decision. He said: 'We are absolutely delighted he has been given the entry visa he should have been given months ago.

At long last someone has woken up at ministerial level and done the right thing by him.

"I would like to thank the Mail for bringing this to the attention of the public and I know Mr Pun would like to give his personal thanks to the Mail and its readers, he has seen the messages of support."

Tory Peer and Victoria Cross expert Michael Ashcroft described the decision as a 'victory for common sense'.

Lord Ashcroft, who has a collection of 150 VCs, said: "I hope I will be able

to invite him for tea at the House of Lords, where I'm sure peers will be pleased to meet him."

Mr Pun earned his VC in Burma on June 23, 1944 after nearly all his comrades had been killed.

Firing a Bren machine gun from the hip and running through ankle-deep mud, he ignored 'shattering' Japanese fire to storm a 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 valour won royal admirers and Mr Pun was invited to the Queen's coronation and also had tea with the Queen Mother. Announcing the decision to grant Mr Pun settlement

rights Mr Byrne said: "The circumstances surrounding Tul Bahadur Pun's case are clearly exceptional, and in the light of this the Home Secretary, John Reid, and I have reviewed the case and made the decision to grant Mr Pun a settlement visa immediately.

"This decision was not taken lightly and reflects the extraordinary nature of this case, in particular Mr Pun's heroic record in service of Britain. which saw him awarded the VC. It is entirely right that this record should not only be recognised but honoured."

As for Mr Pun, his solicitor said it would be fitting if he was able to reach the UK by June 23, for the 63rd anniversary of his winning the VC.

Praising the 'groundswell of support' Mr Howe added: "The average British serviceman serves between four and five years, the average Gurkha serves 15 to 16 years. They really do earn the respect of all their fellow soldiers and the British people."