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Statement due on Gurkha residency Statement due on Gurkha residency
(30 minutes 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.
Ex-Gurkha Dhan Gurung said he wanted "justice in the name of those who fought and died for this country".Ex-Gurkha Dhan Gurung said he wanted "justice in the name of those who fought and died for this country".
Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said new rules would "improve the situation" but "we have to go through each case".Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said new rules would "improve the situation" but "we have to go through each case".
He told GMTV: "We will be more generous where there has been valour, long service and where there are medical conditions as well.He told GMTV: "We will be more generous where there has been valour, long service and where there are medical conditions as well.
"It has never been a proposition that all Gurkhas pre-1997 should be given grants or settlements. Along with their spouses and close dependants, that would be around 100,000 people."It has never been a proposition that all Gurkhas pre-1997 should be given grants or settlements. Along with their spouses and close dependants, that would be around 100,000 people.
"We have obligations to other people around the world and we have to be fair.""We have obligations to other people around the world and we have to be fair."
'Continue fighting''Continue fighting'
Campaigners argue it is wrong that Gurkhas have been denied residency when soldiers from other countries have to serve just four years in the forces to win the same right.Campaigners argue it is wrong that Gurkhas have been denied residency when soldiers from other countries have to serve just four years in the forces to win the same right.
Gurkha veteran Madan Gurung: 'We are very, very discriminated'
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.
It is so obvious that the treatment of the Gurkhas has been a huge injustice Joanna Lumley
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.
Dhan Gurung, the first ex-Gurkha to be elected as a UK councillor, said campaigners were loyal to the Crown but were prepared to keep up their battle.Dhan Gurung, the first ex-Gurkha to be elected as a UK councillor, said campaigners were loyal to the Crown but were prepared to keep up their battle.
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: "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."
"But if they are not met, we will continue fighting.""But if they are not met, we will continue fighting."
It is so obvious that the treatment of the Gurkhas has been a huge injustice Joanna Lumley
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 campaign to allow them the right to settle in the UK.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 so obvious that the treatment of the Gurkhas has been a huge injustice," she said."It is so obvious that the treatment of the Gurkhas has been a huge injustice," she said.
"We are talking about a comparatively small number of people who have served this country tirelessly.""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.