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Gurkha rulings to be reconsidered Lumley meets minister on Gurkhas
(10 minutes later)
Immigration minister Phil Woolas says rulings rejecting former Gurkha soldiers' rights to settle in the UK will be reconsidered.Immigration minister Phil Woolas says rulings rejecting former Gurkha soldiers' rights to settle in the UK will be reconsidered.
Mr Woolas is currently discussing the verdicts with actress Joanna Lumley in the BBC's Westminster office.Mr Woolas is currently discussing the verdicts with actress Joanna Lumley in the BBC's Westminster office.
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.
Mr Woolas said the cases will be looked at again and no-one will be deported.Mr Woolas said the cases will be looked at again and no-one will be deported.
The meeting between Ms Lumley and Mr Woolas was hastily arranged in a BBC office near Parliament after Ms Lumley came to the same building to host a press conference. The meeting between Ms Lumley and Mr Woolas began after Ms Lumley came to the building in which the BBC studio is based to host a press conference.
Ms Lumley, who has spearheaded the campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, listened to Mr Woolas giving an interview to the BBC News Channel before going into a meeting with him. Ms Lumley, who has spearheaded the campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, listened outside the studio as Mr Woolas gave an interview to the BBC News Channel.
The two, surrounded by reporters and television crews, then made their way to an office to hold talks.
The BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson said the meeting between the two was proving "emotional and difficult".
He said Ms Lumley had sought assurances that the Gurkhas would not be put through an "emotional cartwheel" in their efforts to settle in the UK.
'Trust in PM''Trust in PM'
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 GurkhasWhile 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.
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".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".
Immigration minister Phil Woolas said current residency decisions had to reflect the law as it stands but stressed the Gurkhas' request for settlement had not been rejected.Immigration minister Phil Woolas said current residency decisions had to reflect the law as it stands but stressed the Gurkhas' request for settlement had not been rejected.
He said the cases would be reconsidered, adding: "I am confident that people will be pleased with the outcome of the new guidelines."He said the cases would be reconsidered, adding: "I am confident that people will be pleased with the outcome of the new guidelines."
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.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.
Those Gurkhas whose applications have been rejected will not be deported, the Home Office has stressed, pending a further review of the rules.Those Gurkhas whose applications have been rejected will not be deported, the Home Office has stressed, pending a further review of the rules.
Officials have also pointed out that more than 100 Gurkhas have been granted rights of settlement in the last few days.Officials have also pointed out that more than 100 Gurkhas have been granted rights of settlement in the last few days.
Mr Woolas said Joanna Lumley and other activists had run a "strong campaign" but denied ministers had been "outmanoeuvred" over the issue in recent days.Mr Woolas said Joanna Lumley and other activists had run a "strong campaign" but denied ministers had been "outmanoeuvred" over the issue in recent days.
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.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.