ninme

The Telegraph - Justice for the Gurkhas

It is extraordinary that the authorities are prepared to deport someone who fought in our Army, while thousands of foreign criminals remain in this country, many of them for good because their human rights preclude their removal.

Walking the streets of Britain are terrorist suspects who have done great harm to this country and to whom we even pay benefits - yet we would deny those who fight for us a right to settle.

Nepalese Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for nearly 200 years and about 200,000 of them fought for Britain in both world wars; some 43,000 were killed or wounded, and they have won 26 Victoria Crosses.

The Gurkhas have also struggled over many years for equal pension rights which, for those who retired before 1997, are about a quarter of the level paid to those who served after that time. Three Gurkhas who lost a court challenge on pensions in July this year are taking their case to the Court of Appeal next month.

These proud men should not have to beg for entry or for equal pension rights. It is time we honoured our debts.

Augh!

ninme waves her flag