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Family of dead Gurkha 'can stay' Family of dead Gurkha 'can stay'
(20 minutes later)
The family of a Gurkha killed in Afghanistan will not be made to leave the country, says the UK Border Agency.The family of a Gurkha killed in Afghanistan will not be made to leave the country, says the UK Border Agency.
The agency was responding to a Sunday Mirror report that the widow of Cpl Kumar Pun was told she had no right to stay in the UK the day after his death.The agency was responding to a Sunday Mirror report that the widow of Cpl Kumar Pun was told she had no right to stay in the UK the day after his death.
Cpl Kumar was among four soldiers killed in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province on Thursday.Cpl Kumar was among four soldiers killed in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province on Thursday.
The government is drawing up new Gurkha settlement proposals after suffering a Commons defeat on the issue last month.The government is drawing up new Gurkha settlement proposals after suffering a Commons defeat on the issue last month.
Cpl Kumar, from the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was killed along with Sgt Ben Ross, from 3rd Regiment, Royal Military Police, in a suicide attack while on patrol in Gereshk.Cpl Kumar, from the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was killed along with Sgt Ben Ross, from 3rd Regiment, Royal Military Police, in a suicide attack while on patrol in Gereshk.
The Sunday Mirror claims that the following day officials told his widow that she and their two daughters could be ordered back to Nepal when her visa runs out next year. The Sunday Mirror claims that the following day officials told his widow - who lives in Dover, Kent - that she and their two daughters could be ordered back to Nepal when her visa runs out next year.
They could then be made to reapply for a British visa to return to the UK, a relative was quoted as saying.They could then be made to reapply for a British visa to return to the UK, a relative was quoted as saying.
But a UK Border Agency statement said: "We will not curtail this lady's leave. We would not seek to remove the widow of any soldier killed in action, whether they are a Gurkha, a foreign or a Commonwealth soldier.But a UK Border Agency statement said: "We will not curtail this lady's leave. We would not seek to remove the widow of any soldier killed in action, whether they are a Gurkha, a foreign or a Commonwealth soldier.
"A soldier's spouse or dependants would almost certainly be granted settlement after applying for leave to stay in the UK.""A soldier's spouse or dependants would almost certainly be granted settlement after applying for leave to stay in the UK."
It just goes to show the Gurkhas are at the centre of the Army and are willing to fight for the British and give up their lives for this country Joanna LumleyIt just goes to show the Gurkhas are at the centre of the Army and are willing to fight for the British and give up their lives for this country Joanna Lumley
Cpl Kumar, the son of a British Gurkha, was on his first deployment to Afghanistan after operations in Kosovo and Bosnia.Cpl Kumar, the son of a British Gurkha, was on his first deployment to Afghanistan after operations in Kosovo and Bosnia.
The 31-year-old was part of a team delivering training and mentoring to the Afghan National Police.The 31-year-old was part of a team delivering training and mentoring to the Afghan National Police.
His commanding officer, Maj Chris Conroy, described Cpl Kumar as "unstintingly professional, calm and respectful of all, never failing to help and always willing to volunteer".His commanding officer, Maj Chris Conroy, described Cpl Kumar as "unstintingly professional, calm and respectful of all, never failing to help and always willing to volunteer".
"On operations in Afghanistan he was steadfast, brave and a true leader," Maj Conroy said."On operations in Afghanistan he was steadfast, brave and a true leader," Maj Conroy said.
"He looked after his soldiers as if they were his own, caring for them and watching over their every move.""He looked after his soldiers as if they were his own, caring for them and watching over their every move."
Actress Joanna Lumley, a high-profile campaigner for Gurkhas' residency rights, told the Mirror: "It just goes to show the Gurkhas are at the centre of the Army and are willing to fight for the British and give up their lives for this country."Actress Joanna Lumley, a high-profile campaigner for Gurkhas' residency rights, told the Mirror: "It just goes to show the Gurkhas are at the centre of the Army and are willing to fight for the British and give up their lives for this country."
Rights campaignRights campaign
Some 36,000 Gurkhas, a brigade of Nepalese soldiers who serve in the British army, have been denied UK residency because they left before 1997.Some 36,000 Gurkhas, a brigade of Nepalese soldiers who serve in the British army, have been denied UK residency because they left before 1997.
Campaigners argue that they should be granted the the same settlement rights as soldiers from Commonwealth countries who have fought for the UK.Campaigners argue that they should be granted the the same settlement rights as soldiers from Commonwealth countries who have fought for the UK.
The government has insisted that campaigners and opposition parties will have a say in the formation of new regulations on Gurkhas' residency rights.The government has insisted that campaigners and opposition parties will have a say in the formation of new regulations on Gurkhas' residency rights.
This followed the government's shock defeat in a Commons vote on a motion offering all Gurkhas equal right of residence.This followed the government's shock defeat in a Commons vote on a motion offering all Gurkhas equal right of residence.
The other soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Thursday included Rifleman Adrian Sheldon, 25, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, who died in a separate explosion.The other soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Thursday included Rifleman Adrian Sheldon, 25, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, who died in a separate explosion.
Cpl Sean Binnie, 22, of the Black Watch, was shot dead.Cpl Sean Binnie, 22, of the Black Watch, was shot dead.
It was the first time since June 2008 that four soldiers had been killed on a single day. Three soldiers and a marine were killed on 25 February this year.It was the first time since June 2008 that four soldiers had been killed on a single day. Three soldiers and a marine were killed on 25 February this year.
The latest deaths took the number of UK troops to have been killed on operations in Afghanistan to 157.The latest deaths took the number of UK troops to have been killed on operations in Afghanistan to 157.