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Lumley in live clash over Gurkhas Lumley in public clash on Gurkhas
(9 minutes later)
Phil Woolas has sought to "reassure" Joanna Lumley that rulings rejecting former Gurkha soldiers' rights to settle in the UK will be reconsidered.Phil Woolas has sought to "reassure" Joanna Lumley that rulings rejecting former Gurkha soldiers' rights to settle in the UK will be reconsidered.
His comments came as the immigration minister and actress came face-to-face amid remarkable scenes in the BBC's Westminster offices. The immigration minister spoke as he and the actress came face-to-face amid remarkable and highly-charged scenes in the BBC's Westminster offices.
The two headed off to an office for talks before staging an impromptu joint press conference nearby.The two headed off to an office for talks before staging an impromptu joint press conference nearby.
Mr Woolas ruled out deportations after the rulings which "shocked" Ms Lumley.Mr Woolas ruled out deportations after the rulings which "shocked" Ms Lumley.
'Emotional cartwheel' There is nothing more to think about and consider Joanna Lumley
At the joint press conference with Ms Lumley, Mr Woolas said Gurkha campaigners and opposition parties would have an input into the formulation of new regulations on residency rights. At the joint press conference Mr Woolas said Gurkha campaigners and opposition parties would have an input into the formulation of new regulations on residency rights.
Ms Lumley said she was reassured by the meeting but urged the government to act more quickly, saying the issue could be settled by next week.Ms Lumley said she was reassured by the meeting but urged the government to act more quickly, saying the issue could be settled by next week.
'Emotional cartwheel'
The 1,500 Gurkhas whose applications were currently being considered should "be received with open arms", she said.The 1,500 Gurkhas whose applications were currently being considered should "be received with open arms", she said.
There is nothing more to think about and consider Joanna Lumley
"There is nothing more to think about and consider," she added."There is nothing more to think about and consider," she added.
Mr Woolas said immigration policy could not "be determined on a whim" and residency rules for Gurkhas had to be consider within a legal framework.Mr Woolas said immigration policy could not "be determined on a whim" and residency rules for Gurkhas had to be consider within a legal framework.
But he said ministers were respecting the will of Parliament in reviewing the regulations, after Labour's recent defeat on the issue, and he believed that the Gurkhas would be "pleased" with the outcome of the review.But he said ministers were respecting the will of Parliament in reviewing the regulations, after Labour's recent defeat on the issue, and he believed that the Gurkhas would be "pleased" with the outcome of the review.
Ms Lumley and Mr Woolas left BBC offices for a media conferenceMs Lumley and Mr Woolas left BBC offices for a media 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.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.
As Ms Lumley, who has spearheaded the campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, prepared for her press conference Mr Woolas began a live television interview inside - Ms Lumley stood outside watching his interview.As Ms Lumley, who has spearheaded the campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, prepared for her press conference Mr Woolas began a live television interview inside - Ms Lumley stood outside watching his interview.
Once his interview ended the two, surrounded by reporters and television crews, made their way to an office to hold talks.Once his interview ended the two, surrounded by reporters and television crews, made their way to an office to hold talks.
The BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson said the meeting between the two proved "emotional and difficult".The BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson said the meeting between the two proved "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.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'
After the meeting the two headed downstairs to hold a joint press conference, at which Ms Lumley denied her campaign was being driven by sentiment alone and had been hijacked by people with other motives than assisting the Gurkhas.After the meeting the two headed downstairs to hold a joint press conference, at which Ms Lumley denied her campaign was being driven by sentiment alone and had been hijacked by people with other motives than assisting 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 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".
Mr Woolas stressed the Gurkhas' request for settlement had not been rejected.Mr Woolas stressed the Gurkhas' request for settlement had not been rejected.
No 10 says all existing applications will be considered by the end of the month and says it will to publish revised rules by the end of July after it was defeated in Parliament over the issue.No 10 says all existing applications will be considered by the end of the month and says it will to publish revised rules by the end of July after it was defeated in Parliament over the issue.
Officials point out that more than 100 Gurkhas have been granted rights of settlement in the last few days.Officials point out that more than 100 Gurkhas have been granted rights of settlement in the last few days.
Mr Woolas said Ms Lumley and other activists had run a "strong campaign" but denied ministers had been "outmanoeuvred".Mr Woolas said Ms Lumley and other activists had run a "strong campaign" but denied ministers had been "outmanoeuvred".
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.