Anger and disbelief greet Gurkha decision delay (Faversham and Mid Kent Liberal Democrats)

Faversham and Mid Kent Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Anger and disbelief greet Gurkha decision delay

December 29, 2008 9:45 AM
Originally published by South East Region Liberal Democrats

The Gurkha Justice Campaign Team headed up by Joanna Lumley have reacted with anger and disbelief to news that the Government is delaying the decision on whether to let Gurkhas who retired before 1997 the right to settle in the UK.

The Gurkhas won a historic High Court case in September this year which ruled that the current policy of excluding pre 1997 retired Gurkhas was 'unlawful'. The Judge ruled that the Government must review over 2,000 cases currently in the system within 3 months and come up with a fairer policy.

Gurkha Justice Campaign organiser Peter Carroll said:

"This delay is totally unacceptable. As recently as the 20th November we handed in to Downing Street the largest ever petition on this issue signed by 250,000 people calling on the Government to allow all British Army retired Gurkhas the right to settle in the UK if they wish. The people have spoken and the Government should listen. It seems unbelievable that we continue to treat former Gurkhas so badly at a time when their sons are laying down their lives on our behalf in Iraq and Afghanistan."

David Enright, a partner in Howe & Co which led the successful 30th September High Court case said:

"The Judge ruled the current policy unlawful on 30th September this year. Every month that goes by, heroic retired Gurkhas are literally dying back in Britain and Nepal.

"Only a few weeks ago one of the Gurkhas cited in our test case died (Rifleman Bhim Prasad Gurung who fought in the jungles of Brunei). How can the Government delay on an issue that affects people who were prepared to fight and die for us?"

The powerful All Party Home Affairs Select Committee considered this issue on 4th November and recommended unequivocally to the Home Secretary that she should immediately change the rules so that ALL retired Gurkhas be given settlement rights.

Peter Carroll added:

"We believe that there is a dispute within the heart of Government about how to handle this issue. The Home Office seem convinced that many more retired Gurkhas should be allowed to settle here but the MoD is arguing against on the basis that large numbers of Gurkhas will want to come here.

"The numbers are not large. The Prime Minister himself paid tribute to the Gurkhas on his recent visit to the war zone. We are calling on the Prime Minister to stand above petty arguments between Government departments and do what the people continue to ask - let all retired British Army Gurkhas have the right to settle here, if they so wish."

People who want to express support for the Gurkhas can sign up on www.gurkhajustice.org.uk