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Brown attacked over Gurkha policy Gurkha rules shameful, says Clegg
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has said Labour has taken real steps to give "justice" to Gurkhas but stressed plans to allow more to settle in the UK must be affordable. The government's limit on the number of former Gurkhas allowed to settle in the UK is "shameful", Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said.
Opposition parties have condemned the decision to limit the number of Gurkhas allowed into the UK. He said the policy broke the "moral principle" of allowing soldiers who fight for the UK to live there.
Lib Dem Nick Clegg called the plan "shameful". Tory leader David Cameron said much more needed to be done. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wanted "justice" for Gurkhas but stressed that any changes to policy had to be affordable.
Ahead of a debate on the issue, Mr Brown said new rules would allow 10,000 Gurkhas and their families into the UK. MPs are debating a Lib Dem motion demanding residency rules are eased.
Some 36,000 former Gurkhas have been denied residency because they served in the British army before 1997.Some 36,000 former Gurkhas have been denied residency because they served in the British army before 1997.
The Liberal Democrats, who have put forward a parliamentary motion calling for an easing of the rules, are urging Labour MPs to vote against ministers. 'Not got the guts'
The government insists changes made to residency rules last week would allow an extra 4,300 to settle in the UK, plus family members. At prime minister's questions, Mr Clegg said: "There is a simple moral principle at stake.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Brown said he was "determined" to honour the contribution made by the Gurkhas but that progress on allowing more to settle in the UK would have to be done in stages because of financial constraints. "It is this: surely if someone is prepared to die for this country surely they deserve to live in this country."
He also said Mr Brown was "doing a shameful thing, but hasn't got the guts to admit it or change it".
They are hard working people who paid their taxes and paid their way Martin Salter, Labour MP
But the prime minister said new rules, introduced last week, would allow 10,000 Gurkhas and their families into the UK.
Mr Brown said he was "determined" to honour the contribution made by the Gurkhas but that progress on allowing more to settle in the UK would have to be done in stages because of financial constraints.
He said he would keep the restrictions on entry under review.He said he would keep the restrictions on entry under review.
But one Labour MP has warned that the government may face an "embarrassing defeat" on the issue.But one Labour MP has warned that the government may face an "embarrassing defeat" on the issue.
High Court ruling
Immigration regulations introduced in 2004 allowed serving Gurkhas with at least four years' service to move to the UK.Immigration regulations introduced in 2004 allowed serving Gurkhas with at least four years' service to move to the UK.
However, they do not apply to those discharged from the Army before 1 July 1997, when their base relocated from Hong Kong to Folkestone, Kent.However, they do not apply to those discharged from the Army before 1 July 1997, when their base relocated from Hong Kong to Folkestone, Kent.
Conditions
The High Court ruled last year that the government policy on older veterans was unlawful and in need of urgent review.The High Court ruled last year that the government policy on older veterans was unlawful and in need of urgent review.
Last week the Home Office responded, saying Gurkhas who left service before 1997 and who wanted to come to the UK should meet criteria involving long service, bravery medals and medical conditions caused by service in the brigade.Last week the Home Office responded, saying Gurkhas who left service before 1997 and who wanted to come to the UK should meet criteria involving long service, bravery medals and medical conditions caused by service in the brigade.
The Lib Dems, who say this does not go far enough, have secured a debate on the issue in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
This completely disgraceful decision does a great disservice to the brave Gurkha soldiers who have willingly risked their lives for this country Martin Salter, Labour MP
Leader Nick Clegg said the government was ignoring basic principles, adding: "People who are prepared to fight and die for our country should be entitled to live here.
"Yet even this basic principle is broken by this out of touch and morally bankrupt government."
The Conservatives have confirmed they will support the Lib Dem motion while some Labour MPs who disagree with the government's position may also back it.The Conservatives have confirmed they will support the Lib Dem motion while some Labour MPs who disagree with the government's position may also back it.
The home affairs select committee, whose members come from across the parties, has tabled a separate motion attacking the "unnecessarily restrictive, morally wrong and offensive" restrictions although this is unlikely to be voted on.The home affairs select committee, whose members come from across the parties, has tabled a separate motion attacking the "unnecessarily restrictive, morally wrong and offensive" restrictions although this is unlikely to be voted on.
Among them is Labour's Martin Salter, who said the government's arguments were "fundamentally flawed".Among them is Labour's Martin Salter, who said the government's arguments were "fundamentally flawed".
"They are hard working people who paid their taxes and paid their way," he said of the Gurkhas."They are hard working people who paid their taxes and paid their way," he said of the Gurkhas.
He added: "Ministers need to show leadership and a willingness to listen to avoid an embarrassing defeat."He added: "Ministers need to show leadership and a willingness to listen to avoid an embarrassing defeat."
SNP Westminster leader and defence spokesman Angus Robertson has also confirmed the SNP will back the Lib Dem motion.SNP Westminster leader and defence spokesman Angus Robertson has also confirmed the SNP will back the Lib Dem motion.
Mr Robertson said: "The UK government's treatment of the Gurkhas is simply shameful. These brave men have risked their lives battling for this country, and it is nothing short of a betrayal by Labour ministers to deny them residency." He said: "The UK government's treatment of the Gurkhas is simply shameful. These brave men have risked their lives battling for this country, and it is nothing short of a betrayal by Labour ministers to deny them residency."
Labour MP Kim Howells, who said he had not decided which way to vote, told the BBC's Daily Politics that the rules needed to be changed to make it easier for more Gurkhas to settle in the UK.Labour MP Kim Howells, who said he had not decided which way to vote, told the BBC's Daily Politics that the rules needed to be changed to make it easier for more Gurkhas to settle in the UK.
'Massive pressure''Massive pressure'
However, he warned against the dangers of decisions which suggested there was an "open door" policy on immigration.However, he warned against the dangers of decisions which suggested there was an "open door" policy on immigration.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We recognise that there is a good deal of interest in these cases. We have already made changes to the guidelines as called for by the court."A Downing Street spokesman said: "We recognise that there is a good deal of interest in these cases. We have already made changes to the guidelines as called for by the court."
The changes would apply to 4,000 Gurkhas and their dependants, he insisted.The changes would apply to 4,000 Gurkhas and their dependants, he insisted.
Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said last week that letting all 36,000 Gurkhas in to the UK would lead to "massive pressure" on the immigration service.Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said last week that letting all 36,000 Gurkhas in to the UK would lead to "massive pressure" on the immigration service.
But campaigners claim fewer than 100 of the Nepalese soldiers will benefit from the Home Office's changes to the rules.But campaigners claim fewer than 100 of the Nepalese soldiers will benefit from the Home Office's changes to the rules.
Protesters are expected to gather at Westminster, among them actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served in the Gurkha regiment. Dozens of protesters have gathered at Westminster, among them actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served in the Gurkha regiment.