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New Gurkha settlement rules attacked as ‘treachery’
Martin Bentham24.04.09
Ministers were accused of “disgraceful treachery” despite unveiling rules which could allow thousands of Gurkha veterans to settle in Britain.
Former Gurkhas will now be entitled to live here if they meet one of five criteria, which include gaining one of the country's top three gallantry medals or serving in the regiment for 20 years or more.
They will also qualify if they have suffered a chronic medical condition as a result of service, have close family here, or spend three unbroken years in this country after leaving the Gurkhas.
Ministers today said the reforms would permit about 4,300 veterans and 6,000 of their dependants to live in Britain.
Campaigners, including actress Joanna Lumley, denounced the decision, however, claiming it did not go far enough and would only allow a handful of Gurkhas to live here.
Lumley accused ministers of failing to appreciate the sacrifices Gurkhas had made for Britain: “The Gurkhas cannot meet these new criteria. It makes me ashamed of our Government. We will fight on. We don't stop. I think this is inexplicable.”
Another campaigner, lawyer Martin Howe, claimed today's rules were an inadequate response to a High Court ruling last year in which the Government's previous policy of excluding veterans from pre-1997 was unlawful.
He added: “This is nothing less than an act of treachery.
“We have a so-called Labour government prepared to give £200 billion to banks but not a penny to the Gurkhas. It's nothing short of scandalous.”
Immigration minister Phil Woolas, who announced today's changes, said: “When people read the guidelines they will see the sense of them.”
Immigration rules introduced in 2004 allowed serving Gurkhas with at least four years' service to settle in the UK, but they did not apply to Gurkhas discharged before 1 July 1997.
Gurkhas will now also be able to reside here if they pass two out of three other qualifying tests — being mentioned in dispatches; 10 years' service or campaign medal; and having received an MoD disability pension.
Reader views (16)
let the gurhkas in , england is just a cesspit anyway , they will soon find out and return home as the poles did.
- Eric , Aberdeen, aberdeen scotland
let in the brave gurkhas throw out the incompetant arrogant money grabbing
money wasting gang that passes for a government what a joke 12 wasted years of
lies and spin, the amount of money this lot
has poured down black holes would clear up
our mountain of dept they are bankcrupt
morally corrupt with no idea where to go next , probably to the IMF cap in hand,
like a previous labour govt remember?
oh god lets hope we have seen the last
of this gang of incompetant chancers and
no hopers bye bye PLEASE I DESPAIR?
- Collin Jackson, merthyr tydfil wales (UK)
When I used to work in the City of London I can recall walking across to the Tower one lunchtime and being surprised to see the Gurkhas doing a tour on sentry duties there. They were chatting to tourists who were obviously interested to see them there too. Given what they have done for Britain, more than many other peoples, and certainly more than the economic and other migrants now flooding in, they deserve better consideration than Labour is proposing. Joanna Lumley gets my vote (she always did anyway!).
- Tony Whitmarsh, Melbourne, Australia
I am not at all surprised by this Government's treatment of the Gurkha's, if our previous Government's treatment of other foreign nationals have whom fought for this country in the years past are anything to go by!
Check out the last war, and our handing over of the White Russians whom fought for us to the Red Russians!
That's just one instance of our country's duplicity!
I do believe a Tory Politician tried to raise the issue of this stain on our national character a few years back, but was threatened with dire consequences if he continued to do so!
In addition, on another tack, the Russian Romanov's or their descendants would still be alive if the Politicos/ Royal family had not gone back on their word and refused them sanctuary here, as they had first agreed!
Not that I am a Royalist, but, if it comes to a choice twixt them, Stalin, Hitler, Hirohito, and their ilk, I know where my best interests lie!
Although I am a patriotic British National, and believe in the people of this country, I am aware that there are many acts of treachery that have been perpetrated in the past in our name, by those whom would have us believe they are "Honourable" persons!
GERONIMO
- Geronimo, LONDON MIDDLESEX
I think that the actions of this government are nothing short of shameless and morally 'corrupt'. These spineless individuals have no code of honour. They simply use any means available to hold on to power. To compare them to the brave, honourable and loyal Gurkas does a grave disservice to the Gurkhas!!!
However, if an individual who is a terrorist, wishes to undermine this country, claim free benefits and services, bids to stay in this country, claiming their 'human rights', this government will bend over backwards to help them.
What happened to all the terrorist and failed asylum seeker deportations Tony Blair talked about years ago?
As there is no political capital in supporting the Gurkha cause, Gordon Brown and his acolytes are happy to trample over any rights they have and are also quite happy in wickedly bending any rule to overcome a court judgement.
I fully support Joanna Lumley and her brave efforts and all of those brave men who fought and laid their lives on the line for their queen and coutry. Let us not ignore them now in their time of need!!!
As for the moronic imbecile 'Croyboy, Croydon' who left an earlier posting, I am surprised that he is able to spell, to put on his posting.
- David, Alexandria, Alexandria
We shouldn't expect anything better from this disgustingly unscrupulous Labour Government.
Ultimately it is us, the public, who are to blame for this disgraceful state of affairs as it was who voted these parasites into power. This is something we need to remember when the next General Election comes round.
We, the plebs, are paying the price for our stupidity, but not to the degree these brave men of the Gurkhas have paid.
- Eoin Mcgreeghan, Derry, NI
This labour Govt is disgrace to all the decent people of this country , the sooner we get rid of it the better.
- Surj, london
Firstly let me say that I think it's disgusting that some Gurkhas are discriminated against vis-à-vis other foreign servicemen when it comes to settling in the UK. Make it equal: NONE of them ought to be able to settle here. These people didn't join the forces to do us a favour, they did it for a job. They are, in effect, mercenaries. Whether their pay or pensions is fair or not is a different matter - although, of course,
if fading stars such as Joanna Lumley wish to contribute to their welfare, fair enough.
Also, ever heard about a "housing shortage" here? And what about social services for older people, "free" travel in London for any Gurkha or their relatives over sixty etc. who decide to live in the capital - it just goes on and on.
These are people from a less developed Asian country, and are obviously completely unsuited to life in a north European nation; one look at the group outside
the High Court tells anyone with half a brain that much. Also, the economy of their home country depends, I believe, to a great extent on British army pensions. How will that money be replaced? (Let me guess! ...More foreign aid?)
They are Nepalese, and have their own country, Nepal, to live in. I am English, and this is MY country, England, and WE ARE FULL UP!
- Croyboy, Croydon
STRANGE WE LET IN N VAST NUMBERS OF THOSE WHO PROFESS TO BE OUR ENEMIES AND YET WE WILL NOT LET IN OUR FRIENDS WHO FOUGHT FOR US.
WILL THIS GOVERNMENT EVER GET ANYTHING RIGHT?
- Alan Green, Woodford Green
What an absolute disgrace! This government allows hundreds of thousands of economic migrants to enter our country, plundering our benefit system whilst often displaying contempt for our culture and threatening our security and The Gurkhas who have stood by us and shown great loyalty to our country and made great sacrifices defending our freedom and interests across the globe are treated with such utter distain by this disgusting back stabbing administration! These dignified people have earned the right to live here.
- Ij, Wisbech UK
For our incompetent, personal-agenda driven, money-grabbing ministers to refer to 'valour' is nothing more than gross hypocrisy.
- Marianne (Uk National And Tax-Payer), SW France
I cannot put it any better than Jonny and Jeremy E of London. For us zero respect for politicians (make that mere politicians) has turned irretrievably to contempt.
- Annabelle, london
Not for the first time I am ashamed to be English. The way our government is treating the Gurkhas is disgusting. The government seems to have an open door policy for anyone who wants to live here, who come with nothing and take everything, but these brave men who have served our country and been prepared to give up their lives for us are treated so appaulingly. l think it is time the government opened their eyes up to what is happening in this once so called "Great britain". JOKE!
- Rosilyn, Sitttingbourne, Kent.
Brave men who give their lives for the British Empire Deserve our respect and citizenship. Wake up England and give these men what they have given us for decades.
- Fly, london
where is this so called group 'liberty' to come to their defence and help their cause. oh no sorry, i forgot they don't want to blow us up and spout anti british slogans. they are just hard working loyal people.
balls to labour and balls to Liberty..........
may the fight continue......got my backing.
- Jonny, London
We allow people in on arranged marrages, the Home Office can not be bothered to turn up to deportation hearings, the French are determined to offload all the migrants around Calis (to which this Government does not appear to object to). Yet here are people you have done more for this country than most (probably alot more that the sum contribution of the Parlmentary Larbour Party over the last 10 years) and this is how we trat them. DISGUSTING!!!
- Jeremy E, London
