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Statement due on Gurkha residency Statement due on Gurkha residency
(about 2 hours later)
Changes to rules governing the right of Gurkhas to settle in Britain are due to be announced by the Home Secretary.Changes to rules governing the right of Gurkhas to settle in Britain are due to be announced by the Home Secretary.
In September 2008, the High Court ruled that immigration rules denying Gurkhas who retired before 1997 an automatic right to stay in the UK were unlawful.In September 2008, the High Court ruled that immigration rules denying Gurkhas who retired before 1997 an automatic right to stay in the UK were unlawful.
Campaigners argue it is wrong that veterans could face deportation.Campaigners argue it is wrong that veterans could face deportation.
Dhan Gurung, the first ex-Gurkha to be elected as a councillor in the UK, said he wanted "justice in the name of those who fought and died for this country".Dhan Gurung, the first ex-Gurkha to be elected as a councillor in the UK, said he wanted "justice in the name of those who fought and died for this country".
'Continue fighting''Continue fighting'
It is expected that Gurkhas and their supporters - including the actress Joanna Lumley - will gather in Westminster to await the announcement.It is expected that Gurkhas and their supporters - including the actress Joanna Lumley - will gather in Westminster to await the announcement.
Gurkhas have been part of the Army for almost 200 years and are hand-picked from a fiercely-contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.Gurkhas have been part of the Army for almost 200 years and are hand-picked from a fiercely-contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.
They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 having fought in the two world wars and 45,000 believed to have lost their lives fighting for Britain.They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 having fought in the two world wars and 45,000 believed to have lost their lives fighting for Britain.
The regiment moved its main base from Hong Kong to the UK in 1997 and the government had argued that Gurkhas discharged before that date were unlikely to have strong residential ties with the UK.The regiment moved its main base from Hong Kong to the UK in 1997 and the government had argued that Gurkhas discharged before that date were unlikely to have strong residential ties with the UK.
That meant those who wanted to settle in the UK had to apply for British residency and could be refused and deported.That meant those who wanted to settle in the UK had to apply for British residency and could be refused and deported.
I hope and pray that the new policy is the one that the people want - that all British Army Gurkhas are given the right to live here in the UK Joanna Lumley It is so obvious that the treatment of the Gurkhas has been a huge injustice Joanna Lumley
Cllr Gurung, who serves on Folkestone Town Council near the Gurkhas' base at Shornecliffe Barracks, has served in Brunei, Bosnia and Sierra Leone.Cllr Gurung, who serves on Folkestone Town Council near the Gurkhas' base at Shornecliffe Barracks, has served in Brunei, Bosnia and Sierra Leone.
He said campaigners were loyal to the Crown but were prepared to keep up their fight for justice.He said campaigners were loyal to the Crown but were prepared to keep up their fight for justice.
"If our requirements are fulfilled we will be very grateful and we will say thank you to the government," he said."If our requirements are fulfilled we will be very grateful and we will say thank you to the government," he said.
"But if they are not met, we will continue fighting.""But if they are not met, we will continue fighting."
Peter Carroll of the Gurkha Justice Campaign said he feared that the government would try to circumvent the September ruling.Peter Carroll of the Gurkha Justice Campaign said he feared that the government would try to circumvent the September ruling.
"The government underestimates the resonance that this issue has across the country," he said."The government underestimates the resonance that this issue has across the country," he said.
"People see it as a matter of national honour.""People see it as a matter of national honour."
Ms Lumley, whose father served with the Gurkhas, has been a high-profile supporter of the Gurkhas. Ms Lumley, whose father served with the Gurkhas, has been a high-profile supporter of the campaign to allow them the right to settle in the UK.
"It is wretched that the Government has seen to delay this announcement for so long," she said. "It is so obvious that the treatment of the Gurkhas has been a huge injustice," she said.
"I hope and pray that the new policy is the one that the people want - that all British Army Gurkhas are given the right to live here in the UK." "We are talking about a comparatively small number of people who have served this country tirelessly."
'Moral debt''Moral debt'
Some 2,000 former Gurkhas who retired before 1997 could be affected by the announcement.Some 2,000 former Gurkhas who retired before 1997 could be affected by the announcement.
In September, Mr Justice Blake ruled that instructions given by the Home Office to immigration officials were unlawful and needed urgent revision.In September, Mr Justice Blake ruled that instructions given by the Home Office to immigration officials were unlawful and needed urgent revision.
He said the Gurkhas' long service, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown all pointed to a "moral debt of honour" and gratitude felt by British people.He said the Gurkhas' long service, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown all pointed to a "moral debt of honour" and gratitude felt by British people.
The government promised to revise its guidance, but in March 2009, the Gurkhas returned to the High Court to try and enforce the ruling.The government promised to revise its guidance, but in March 2009, the Gurkhas returned to the High Court to try and enforce the ruling.