Lib Dem backs Ghurkha rights

A Liberal Democrat MP has introduced a bill aimed at giving retired Ghurkhas the right to remain in the UK.

Bob Russell, who represents the garrison town of Colchester, introduced a 10 minute rule bill on the subject on Wednesday.

At present Nepalese soldiers who retired after 1997 can automatically stay in the UK, but those who retired earlier must apply.

Russell told ePolitix.com: "They have served under the Crown, they've served Queen and country, both in the UK and overseas, but at the moment they are deemed no longer required and told to go back to Nepal."

Speaking in the Commons, he praised the government for a change to the law in 2004 that now allows Ghurkhas to remain in the UK.

But he said: "Those who retire from the army now can stay in the UK should they so wish - but the changes do not apply to those who left prior to 1997 because, it is claimed, before this date they were based in Hong Kong and therefore were not fully part of the UK forces.

"This is outrageous nonsense and an insult to men who served in Her Majesty's armed forces - in some cases, in His Majesty's armed forces."

He pointed to the case of Mr Madam Gurung, who served in the British army for 24 years until his retirement in 1993, and has had his application to remain in the country refused.

"All he wants to do is work as a bus driver or security guard here in the UK," Russell said.

"Currently he lives in one-bedroom accommodation in Tonbridge awaiting news of his appeal.

"He is prevented from working, and subsists on hand-outs from concerned friends.

"Is this the way a man who served in the British army for 24 years should be treated?"

Russell said there were about 1,000 retired Ghurkhas in the UK awaiting the results of appeals and the maximum number who may want to come here from Nepal is 10,000.

The Lib Dems have been campaigning on the subject nationally for some time.

Leader Nick Clegg has previously used prime minister's questions to highlight treatment of the Ghurkhas.

Those who retired before 1997 also receive a smaller pension - one-sixth of that received by a British solider.

Ghurkhas have fought for Britain since 1815 and have served in conflicts including the Falklands and Afghanistan.

Russell's Immigration (Discharged Ghurkhas) Bill is scheduled to have a second reading on October 17, but is unlikely to become law due to a lack of parliamentary time.