This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8037181.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Gurkha rulings anger campaigners Gurkha rulings anger campaigners
(18 minutes later)
Gurkha campaigners have said they feel "betrayed" after a series of rulings rejecting the right of former soldiers to settle in the UK.Gurkha campaigners have said they feel "betrayed" after a series of rulings rejecting the right of former soldiers to settle in the UK.
The UK Border Agency rejected four out of five test cases for Gurkha residency in what campaigners said was a "shocking and devastating" development.The UK Border Agency rejected four out of five test cases for Gurkha residency in what campaigners said was a "shocking and devastating" development.
No 10 sources said the decisions were made under the existing rules and were likely to be overturned in future. Ministers say the cases will be looked at again as part of a fresh review of the rules and no-one will be deported.
Actress Joanna Lumley met Gordon Brown on Wednesday to discuss the issue.Actress Joanna Lumley met Gordon Brown on Wednesday to discuss the issue.
'Trust in PM''Trust in PM'
After the meeting, she said she trusted the prime minister to do "the right thing" for the Gurkhas.After the meeting, she said she trusted the prime minister to do "the right thing" for the Gurkhas.
Some 36,000 Gurkhas, a brigade of Nepalese soldiers who serve in the British Army, were denied UK residency because they left before 1997.Some 36,000 Gurkhas, a brigade of Nepalese soldiers who serve in the British Army, were denied UK residency because they left before 1997.
Ministers were forced to ease the residency rules for Gurkhas after the High Court considered the five test cases last autumn and ruled that existing policy was not sufficiently clear.Ministers were forced to ease the residency rules for Gurkhas after the High Court considered the five test cases last autumn and ruled that existing policy was not sufficiently clear.
While you do not qualify for settlement now, your case will be reconsidered when the next stage of reform has been finalised Letter from UK Border Agency to Gurkhas
Under the current rules, ministers argue that more than 4,000 Gurkhas will be able to settle in the UK but campaigners have said the figure will be closer to 100.Under the current rules, ministers argue that more than 4,000 Gurkhas will be able to settle in the UK but campaigners have said the figure will be closer to 100.
Four of out of the five Gurkhas involved in the original test cases heard by the High Court have now learnt they still do not meet the current criteria for permanent residence in the UK.Four of out of the five Gurkhas involved in the original test cases heard by the High Court have now learnt they still do not meet the current criteria for permanent residence in the UK.
The BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent James Landale said the news was likely to anger actress Joanna Lumley and other campaigners after they thought they won assurances from No 10 over the issue on Wednesday.The BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent James Landale said the news was likely to anger actress Joanna Lumley and other campaigners after they thought they won assurances from No 10 over the issue on Wednesday.
Ms Lumley is due to make a statement on the matter later.Ms Lumley is due to make a statement on the matter later.
'Not set in stone''Not set in stone'
However, Downing Street sources have told the BBC that the rulings should not be considered to be "set in stone". In a letter informing the four Gurkhas that their applications had been turned down, the UK Border Agency - which considers residency applications - said their cases would be "reconsidered when the next stage of reform has been finalised".
No 10 is to consider all existing applications by the end of the month and to publish revised rules by the end of July after it was defeated in Parliament over the issue last week.
Home Office sources have told the BBC that the latest rulings should not be considered to be "set in stone".
Those Gurkhas whose applications have been rejected will not be deported, it is stressed, pending a further review of the rules as they have "residual settlement rights".Those Gurkhas whose applications have been rejected will not be deported, it is stressed, pending a further review of the rules as they have "residual settlement rights".
No 10 is to consider all existing applications by the end of the month and to publish revised rules by the end of July. Immigration minister Phil Woolas said current residency decisions had to reflect the law as it stands now but stressed that the rulings were likely to be overturned.
Ms Lumley hailed her meeting with the PM as "extremely positive", saying Mr Brown was "wholly supportive" of the Gurkha cause. "The Gurkhas have a very powerful case but they need to be reassured," he said.
She has long argued for Gurkha soldiers to be granted the the same settlement rights as soldiers from Commonwealth countries who have fought for the UK. Officials have pointed out that more than 100 Gurkhas have been granted rights of settlement in the last few days.
Mr Brown has been under pressure to clarify the government's position after the meeting with Ms Lumley. Ms Lumley has long argued for Gurkha soldiers to be granted the the same settlement rights as soldiers from Commonwealth countries who have fought for the UK.
She hailed her meeting with the PM as "extremely positive", saying Mr Brown was "wholly supportive" of the Gurkha cause.
But Mr Brown has been under pressure to clarify the government's position after the meeting.
Labour MP Keith Vaz, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, has written to Mr Brown urging him to set out the government's latest thinking on the issue.Labour MP Keith Vaz, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, has written to Mr Brown urging him to set out the government's latest thinking on the issue.
Ministers were forced to review the rules again after a shock Commons defeat on the issue last week, which saw 28 Labour MPs vote against the government and 70 others abstain. Ministers were forced to review the rules again after a shock Commons defeat on the issue, which saw 28 Labour MPs vote against the government and 70 others abstain.
Mr Brown has said he wants to do more for the Gurkhas but that any further promises must be affordable and not undermine the government's wider immigration policies.Mr Brown has said he wants to do more for the Gurkhas but that any further promises must be affordable and not undermine the government's wider immigration policies.
The government has said an "open door" policy could cost up to £1.4bn, a figure disputed by the opposition and some Labour MPs.The government has said an "open door" policy could cost up to £1.4bn, a figure disputed by the opposition and some Labour MPs.
The Tories and Lib Dems are pressing the government to quickly come up with concrete proposals to allow all Gurkhas to settle in the UK, no matter when they served in the Army.The Tories and Lib Dems are pressing the government to quickly come up with concrete proposals to allow all Gurkhas to settle in the UK, no matter when they served in the Army.