Beith welcomes Gurkha vote victory in House of Commons

12.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th May 2009

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg has worked with the Gurkhas and campaigner Joanna Lumley to raise awareness of the unfair treatmeent of the brave Gurkhas.

The battle to secure a fair deal for Gurkhas has received a huge boost, thanks to a Lib Dem victory in Parliament. Local MP Alan Beith has continued to press for all Gurkha soldiers to have the legal right to remain in the UK, not just those who have left the Army since 1997.

In the recent debate, a motion put forward by the Liberal Democrats to allow retired Gurkhas to settle in the UK was backed by MPs despite strong opposition by the Labour Government. This was the first time in history when a sitting Government has been defeated in an Opposition Day motion.

Now Lib Dem campaigners are demanding that Gordon Brown abides by the vote and finally gives retired Gurkhas the citizenship rights they deserve.

Alan Beith said

"If someone is willing to die for our country, then they should be allowed to live in our country and have the right to remain here once they have left the Army, just like soldiers from the Commonwealth.

"This is no way to treat brave soldiers who were willing to sacrifice their lives for our country, by fighting across the world in our interests. The current immigration rules are an insult to them."

"Gurkha soldiers have a proud record of service in the British Army. It's time they were treated with the respect and dignity they truly deserve."

The Lib Dems have been campaigning for Gurkha rights for many years. They have helped win better pay and pensions for Gurkhas as well as limited citizenship rights. The vote in Parliament should now mean the Government will finally relent and allow retired Gurkhas to settle in the UK if they wish.