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Gurkha rules shameful, says Clegg Gurkha rules shameful, says Clegg
(39 minutes later)
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.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.
He said the policy broke the "moral principle" of allowing soldiers who fight for the UK to live there.He said the policy broke the "moral principle" of allowing soldiers who fight for the UK to live there.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wanted "justice" for Gurkhas but stressed that any changes to policy had to be affordable.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wanted "justice" for Gurkhas but stressed that any changes to policy had to be affordable.
MPs are debating a Lib Dem motion demanding residency rules are eased.MPs are debating a Lib Dem motion demanding residency rules are eased.
One Labour MP has warned that the government could face an "embarrassing defeat" on the issue.
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.
'Not got the guts' 'Fantasy'
Opening the Lib Dem-led debate, party home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said government arguments about too many people coming to the UK if rules are relaxed was "nonsense on stilts. It is based on nothing at all...
"It is fantasy to suppose that more than a fraction will want to settle in the UK."
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.
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 Angus Robertson, SNP
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.
At prime minister's questions, Mr Clegg said: "There is a simple moral principle at stake.At prime minister's questions, Mr Clegg said: "There is a simple moral principle at stake.
"It is this: surely if someone is prepared to die for this country surely they deserve to live in this country.""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".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.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.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.
High Court rulingHigh 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.
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 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. During the Lib Dem-led debate on the issue, party home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne claimed the Government had shown a "cavalier attitude" to costs and made a "wild guess" at the number of soldiers wanting to live here.
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. He said there had been an attempt to take "a narrow number of Gurkha pensioners and gross it up into the largest conceivable number the Home Office can think of.
Among them is Labour's Martin Salter, who said the government's arguments were "fundamentally flawed". 'Massive pressure'
"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."
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.
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."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.
'Massive pressure'
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.
Dozens of protesters have gathered 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.