MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

End to an injustice: Gurkhas win right to settle in Britain

Gurkha campaigner Joanna Lumley celebrates with former Gurkha soldiers. Photo Sky News

The British government finally relented on settlement rights for the Gurkha veterans, the elite soldiers who for over two hundred years have served in the British Army, bravely fighting all over the world including the Falklands conflict of 1982.

Gurkha champion actress Joanna Lumley proclaimed “the Gurkhas are coming home” and hailed the “brave” decision by Prime Minister Gordon Brown after he opened the door to thousands of retired soldiers.

Campaigners reacted with jubilation after the announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that all Gurkha veterans with four years' service would be allowed to move to the UK.

Surrounded by the heroic Nepalese warriors, Ms Lumley, whose later father was an officer in the Gurkha regiment, led the cheer of “Ayo Gurkhali” - “the Gurkhas are coming”.

Choking back tears she said: “A great injustice has been righted. The Gurkhas are coming home. I would like to pay tribute to Gordon Brown the Prime Minister, a brave man who has made today a brave decision on behalf of the bravest of the brave. This is a fantastic day for my brothers and sisters.”

She was informed of the decision at a breakfast meeting with the PM. It follows a two-year legal and political battle for equal rights for those who retired before 1997, when their base moved from Hong Kong to Kent.

Last month campaigners reacted with fury at Home Office rules which they said would allow only 100 more Gurkhas, mostly officers and medal-winners, to live here, but would exclude ordinary infantrymen.

The tide turned firmly in their favour last month when the Government lost a key House of Commons vote to Labour backbenchers, the Tories and Liberal Democrats. Despite the result not being binding, ministers were forced to launch a review.

Ms Lumley then cornered Immigration Minister Phil Woolas in a television studio to quiz him about letters sent to Gurkha soldiers appearing to suggest their appeals had been rejected.

The announcement was widely applauded. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, whose party led the Commons campaign said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the Gurkhas have finally been given justice.”

A brief release from 10 Downing Street states that the “Government respects the will of the House of Commons and recognises the strong feeling and public support for this cause. Consequently, we have announced today that all former Gurkhas who served for longer than four years will be eligible to apply for settlement in the United Kingdom. They will also be entitled to bring their spouses and dependent minor children. There will be no time limit on applications”.

“This scheme recognises the unique nature of the service given to the UK by the Brigade of Gurkhas and is offered to them on an exceptional basis”.