Thousands of retired Gurkhas are gathering at Parliament to demand the right to remain in the UK.
Thousands of retired Gurkhas are gathering at Parliament to demand the right to remain in the UK.
Gurkhas who retired after 1997 can automatically stay in the UK, but those who retired earlier must apply.
Gurkhas who retired after 1997 can automatically stay in the UK, but those who retired earlier must apply.
Up to 100 of the Nepalese soldiers will hand in their medals to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in protest.
Up to 100 of the Nepalese soldiers will hand in their medals to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in protest.
He will then raise the issue in prime minister's questions in the Commons, while a bill has been launched in the Lords to try and change the law.
He will then raise the issue in prime minister's questions in the Commons, while a bill has been launched in the Lords to try and change the law.
The protesters are also calling for pension rules to be reformed in a similar way.
The protesters are also calling for pension rules to be reformed in a similar way.
'Bravest of the brave'
'Bravest of the brave'
Soldiers who retire after July 1997 - when Hong Kong, the former base of the Gurkhas, was handed over to China - receive a pension on the same terms as the rest of the British Army.
Soldiers who retire after July 1997 - when Hong Kong, the former base of the Gurkhas, was handed over to China - receive a pension on the same terms as the rest of the British Army.
But those who retired before that date collect one-sixth of the amount received by a British soldier.
But those who retired before that date collect one-sixth of the amount received by a British soldier.
Peter Carroll, one of the march organisers, said the government said it would use discretion in deciding whether soldiers who retired before 1997 could stay, but many are refused.
Peter Carroll, one of the march organisers, said the government said it would use discretion in deciding whether soldiers who retired before 1997 could stay, but many are refused.
Mr Carroll said: "The greatest test of if people should be part of the community is if they are prepared to die for it and these people are the bravest of the brave.
Mr Carroll said: "The greatest test of if people should be part of the community is if they are prepared to die for it and these people are the bravest of the brave.
"It is a morally outrageous situation when they give all that service and the government is saying they are not allowed to stay."
"It is a morally outrageous situation when they give all that service and the government is saying they are not allowed to stay."
'Unfair'
'Unfair'
Chhatra Rai, general secretary of the British Gurkha Welfare Society, said: "Every time the MoD makes an announcement over changes it says that Gurkhas are now being treated equally. But that is not the case when you look into it.
Chhatra Rai, general secretary of the British Gurkha Welfare Society, said: "Every time the MoD makes an announcement over changes it says that Gurkhas are now being treated equally. But that is not the case when you look into it.
"Until they come clean, we will be knocking on the door. It's unfair."
"Until they come clean, we will be knocking on the door. It's unfair."
Nick Clegg is expected to hand the medals to Prime Minister Gordon Brown on behalf of the soldiers.
Nick Clegg is expected to hand the medals to Prime Minister Gordon Brown on behalf of the soldiers.
Organisers say the issue has received cross-party support from MPs in Parliament.
Organisers say the issue has received cross-party support from MPs in Parliament.
Gurkhas have fought for Britain since 1815 and served in conflicts including the Falklands and Afghanistan.
Gurkhas have fought for Britain since 1815 and served in conflicts including the Falklands and Afghanistan.
Prince Harry was based with a Gurkha regiment during his time in Afghanistan last month.
Prince Harry was based with a Gurkha regiment during his time in Afghanistan last month.
The Home Office said the rule concerning the 1997 date is because that was when the Gurkhas became a UK-based force and its soldiers were likely to develop strong ties to the country.
The Home Office said the rule concerning the 1997 date is because that was when the Gurkhas became a UK-based force and its soldiers were likely to develop strong ties to the country.
It says under immigration rules the granting of settlement is dependant on a long period of residence in the UK or family ties, which soldiers discharged before 1997 are unlikely to have.
It says under immigration rules the granting of settlement is dependant on a long period of residence in the UK or family ties, which soldiers discharged before 1997 are unlikely to have.
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