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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Gurkha veterans seek equal rights | Gurkha veterans seek equal rights |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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. They are now based at Shorncliffe near Folkestone, Kent. | |
| 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 was introduced because that was when the Gurkhas became a UK-based force, and its soldiers were likely to develop strong ties to Britain. | |
| Under immigration rules the granting of settlement depends on a long period of residence in the UK or family ties, which soldiers discharged before 1997 are unlikely to have, it says. | |
| Regarding pensions, Defence minister Derek Twigg said he recognised the professional service given by current and former Gurkhas. | |
| "I believe that the terms and conditions of service for serving Gurkhas, and pensions paid to ex-Gurkhas are fair and recognise the changes to the Brigade of Gurkhas since 1997," he said. | |
| Are you taking part in the protest? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you taking part in the protest? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial . | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial . |
| If you have a large file you can upload here. | If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |