Political

Gurkhas win court case as Joanna Lumley launches new petition

Good news from the courts today in the Gurkha campaign:

A group of retired Gurkhas fighting for the right to settle in Britain have won their immigration test case at London’s High Court.

They were challenging immigration rules which said that those who retired from the British Army before 1997 did not have an automatic right to stay.

Prominent supporter actress Joanna Lumley said it was a “chance to right a great wrong”.

The government said it would now review all Gurkhas’ cases. [BBC]

Meanwhile, Joanna Lumley has today launched a new online petition to press for justice for Gurkhas – getting a promise of a review from the government is not the same as securing success for the campaign.

Nick Clegg, who is backing the petition, said:

This ruling rightly condemns the Government’s shameful decision to deny these veterans the right to live here and gain British citizenship after years of service and distinguished conduct.

The Government must now allow all Gurkhas who risked their lives serving in our armed forces to become British citizens.

If someone is prepared to die for our country they should have the right to live in our country.

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