Home Office accused of treachery over Gurkhas
Friday, 24 April 2009 5:52 PM
By politics.co.uk staff
Campaigners for the Gurkhas calling for residency status in the UK have torn apart proposals from the Home Office.
Speaking outside of Westminster, representatives for the Gurkhas spoke, one after another, in highly emotional tones, describing the government proposals as "treacherous" and "shameful".
The campaign was triggered by a high court ruling last November saying it was illegal to rule out those Gurkhas who had retired before 1997.
Today, the Home Office released its response to the ruling, with a set of criteria campaigners said only allowed residency to the "officer class".
"This one page of criteria has taken the government four months to come up with. It has made me ashamed of our administration," said actress Joanna Lumley, who has spearheaded the campaign.
She went on to describe it as "an act of treachery and betrayal".
Gurkha campaigners explain their anger at the government's proposals:
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg - a long time campaigner on the issue - asked: "Are there any moral principles left in this hollowed-out government?
"People who are prepared to fight and die for this country should be entitled to live in this country. Yet even this basic principle is broken by a government desperate to cover its back and wriggle out of its commitments."
The Tories, agreed, berating the government's response to the court ruling.
Shadow immigration minister Damian Green said: "The government is trying to evade the effects of a very clear court judgement.
"This is an insult to the Gurkhas. We have said all along that the government should not try to challenge the courts and they would have done better to listen."
The criteria include three years of continuance lawful residence in UK - very difficult for Gurkhas, who were primarily granted only two.
Other criteria included the presence of close family settled in the UK, 20 years or more service in the brigade or chronic or long-term medical conditions linked to their service.
Particular scorn was reserved for a fifth condition, the need for a level one or three award for gallantry.
Ms Lumley said: "This is a discrimination against the ordinary soldier.
"This sends out the most appalling message, that unless you've been awarded a medal for gallantry you're not a real soldier."
A Gurkha spokesman said: "We have a so-called Labour government which is prepared to give billions to the bankers, but not a penny to a soldier. It is nothing short of scandalous."
Gurkhas have fought for the UK in various military engagements, with 45,000 believed to have lost their lives fighting for Britain.
Newsletter sign up