Gurkha victory as MPs do about-turn

THOUSANDS of brave Gurkhas are celebrating after the Government suffered an embarrassing defeat yesterday.

Campaigners, led by actress Joanna Lumley, were rewarded with a U-turn after MPs voted down guidelines that prevent most of the Nepalese soldiers from settling in Britain.

Although the defeat is not binding on the Government, it was a huge embarrassment to Mr Brown, who had personally ruled out ripping up the guidelines just hours earlier — and warned it would cost £1.4bn.

After yesterday’s shock 21-vote defeat, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said he would bring forward the date for determination of outstanding applications under the current rules to the end of May.

Mr Woolas, who is also MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “This will ensure those who qualify under the guidelines now in force get confirmation of this as soon as possible.”

But, he said, despite the defeat and strength of feeling, ministers could not responsibly or fairly rush into forming new policy.

His emergency statement came shortly after a Liberal Democrat bid to scrap new settlement rules for Gurkha veterans and allow them all equal residence rights was carried by 267 to 246.

It was the first major reverse for Gordon Brown as Prime Minister.

Mr Woolas said: “I am trying to introduce a tough immigration policy.

“Clearly many people think this should not apply to Gurkhas. I am going back to the drawing board and I will come back with new proposals.”

Anger had grown since ministers announced that, of Gurkhas who retired before July 1997, only those who had served 20 years, those who had received medals and those injured in battle would be allowed to settle in Britain.

The Home Office said the rules would allow about 4,300 more to settle — on top of 6,000 already able to — but the Gurkha Justice Campaign insisted it would be only 100.

Diggle Army veteran Peter Blundell was the last commanding officer of The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers in Hong Kong, with 850 in his regiment.

He said: “Common sense, at last, has prevailed.”

He said the defeat was proof that the Government was out of touch with what the majority of people wanted.

“I have not spoken to anyone who has not agreed that it is scandalous that others are allowed to reside in the UK who will add no value to our society whatsoever.

“The Gurkhas have fought for this country for over 200 years and should have a right of abode.”