Forum Topic

A Ghurkha VC Soldier

We can welcome all and sundry to this country, without blinking an eyelid. We overlook the reason they choose to live here. On many occasions no background checks are made to see if they are wanted for murder, rape and other serious crimes committed elsewhere. The Italians have just requested the extradition of a man living here alleged to be from the mafia. And yet…………………Consider the case of the brave Ghurkha VC 84 year old Tul Babadur, who not only had his medal taken from him by the army, who then insultingly gave him peanuts for it, (one recently sold for £500,000) for allegedly “safe keeping”, and this wonderful, caring compassionate, and grateful government, are asking a judge to decide if he can live in this country, where he has served both bravely and loyally in the Ghurkha Rifles for 18 years. Ok to fight our battles, but not OK to live here. Moral…….don’t fight for this country as a foreign national, if you want to live here after serving this country faithfully, and you have done our dirty work. .................................................................Instead hijack a plane in Russia or a place of your choice, force the pilot to land at Heathrow, then on landing, have a bit of a showdown with the SAS and local police, then head for Hounslow, and the welcome mat will be put out there, right outside the house acquired especially to meet your every whim. Don't worry about the nasty judges, they won't send you home, but you may have to spend a little time in one of our Hilton Hotels....er! erm! I mean prison! Oh! I nearly forgot, we won’t expect you to rush out and work when you get out, you will be very exhausted and traumatised with the ordeal of this little skirmish…….so just relax and enjoy your stay and to be sure to let us know if there is anything else you need, we will pop in from time to time to see if you are all OK……….Don't worry your heads in the meantime about Council Tax, or utility bills, but go easy using the mobile phones, and dont forget which side of the road we drive on over here, so keep safe and drive carefully.

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6578d16 Comments

The Afghan hijackers were allowed to stay here because judges in the High Court found that there had been so much press about the hijacking that they would be at risk of a breach of their Human Rights if returned to Afghanistan. It was not an Immigration decision, in fact the fact that they were allowed on appeal means that they were all refused.Immigration decision makers have a strict set of rules that they need to apply to each application. There are those, as in any occupation, that do not apply these rules fairly but on the whole, decision makers do so based on the rules set down in law by numerous Governments.Unfortunately, as things stand, Ghurka's do not normally qualify under the rules. This is the fault of the Governent and those previous, not the decision maker. If caseworkers based their decisions on how they felt about a particular case rather than the various rules, Immigration Acts and caselaw then it would make a mockery of the whole system and it would be a lot worse than it is now.I afraid that you are aiming your anger at the wrong people in this instance.

Claire Peleschka ● 6507d

There are a lot of people who are here illegally,and allowed to stay. The Afghan hijackers who settled (very nicely) in Hounslow for example, who I have mentioned before, broke all of the rules to get here, and that's putting it mildly,yet these loyal lovely people are exploited by this country. They fight the same battles as our troops, but are paid peanuts. And this bloody crew of a government harp on about equality..........equality my ar*e. These officials have the discretion (apparently) to tell the police that they are "too busy" to pick up illegals, who have been picked up, and arrested by the police......fact. They bend the rules to suit the situation......and No their hands are not tied, why else is the asylum/immigration system abused, and in chaos, answers on a postage stamp?

Account suspended ● 6511d

I would prefer that they applied the rules equally, and we all demonstrated, by showing our disgust at themI think it's wrong to have a pop at civil servants when they quite rightly don't have any discretion in cases like this.If someone applies to live here on the basis of having served in the forces and there's no provison in the rules for this, then the official's hands are tied are they not?You can either have a civil service that applies the law as it stands, or one that tries to second guess Parliament's intentions and makes policy up 'on the hoof'. If you want to go down the second path, we may as well get rid of courts, judges and tribunals (and elected representatives come to that) and save us all a few bob...

D Clifford ● 6512d

D"Or would you prefer it if civil servants made the rules up as they went along?"I thought that they did already......at least as far as immigration and asylum rules go! I would prefer that they applied the rules equally, and we all demonstrated, by showing our disgust at them, as many others do in many other cases!

Account suspended ● 6512d

I still think the moron official responsible for this disgrace should be sacked (if not shot) - what a prat he must be.In the absence of any suggestion that the official concerned is guilty of malfeasance I think this is a tad harsh. Or would you prefer it if civil servants made the rules up as they went along?

D Clifford ● 6512d

'Good enough to fight for us but not to live amongst us'...lovely,eh?

Keith Iddon ● 6512d

Those caring immigration people are now deciding yet again, whether or not the Ghurkha soldiers who have served this country, (and as I have said on many occasions)in all the wars and conflicts that we have been involved in, have any ties to this country....heloooooooo isn't fighting for us in Burma, Malaya, Korea, Falklands, Kosovo, Afghanistan and the Gulf amongst others, fighting our sometimes dirty war enough bl**dy  reason to look after them when they leave the service, and wish to settle here.Some of the ne'r do wells who get here with the blessing of these useless officials (you all know who I mean!)have no problems swanning around, and are allowed to stay here no matter what ......The Kosovan "General" who caused mayhem, in the pubs in Hounslow springs to mind, who was given an ASBO,instead of kicking his a*se out of the country, now that is real justice don't you think (not) Come on "Liberty" lets hear that you will also support their human rights, as you do for others!

Account suspended ● 6512d

It is an absolute disgrace and I am not surprised, that successive governments have done nothing to secure the humann rights of these loyal soldiers. It was only the reaction of the public that made them change. They are too wrapped up in how they can grab more privileges and cash for themselves..........but nothing will change will it?Are you listening Cherie? I thought you specialised in Human Rights, but obviously not for them!

Account suspended ● 6572d

Victory at last for ailing Gurkha VC hero. A decision to deny a visa has been reversed for Tul Bahadur Pun, 84. That is good news.

Joan Perry ● 6573d

SarahA good question..I hope our MP's will raise this matter in the Commons and ask the question on our behalf. My opinion is, that having trained her, fought in all the battles that we have been involved in without a moan, they should have the same status and rights as a British soldier, and that includes pensions, wages.........everything.We owe them a massive debt of gratitude, that is the least we can do.

Account suspended ● 6573d

Good news indeed - do you think this will carry on for other Gurkha's, too?

Sarah Felstead ● 6573d

Yes Vanessa.....spot on!I couldn't have put it better  myself.

Account suspended ● 6573d

How nice to see that common sense, humanity and appreciation have triumphed with the news that Tul Bahadur Pun V.C. is to be given indefinite leave to stay in the U.K. but it took a petition of 17,000 people and The Mirror newspaper to highlight this injustice.  Well done to Des Browne the Defence Secretary for acting quickly - but why did it take such a fuss in the first place? I still think the moron official responsible for this disgrace should be sacked (if not shot) - what a prat he must be.

Vanessa Smith ● 6573d

I totally agree with the views expressed in these postings.The Ghurkha Regiment has been shamefully treated for too long by sucessive British governments.....time for a very big change of heart while there are still some of these magnificent soldiers and their families left.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6577d

VanessaI don't wish to harp on about my army service, but I was attached to them in the 50's in Malaya, as it then was. They absolutely idolise the British (for their sins!) And they are the most loyal people I have ever come across. I love them all, and will do everything in my power to  publicise this gallant heroes' plight. Like you I am disgusted and ashamed.I saw a documentary some time ago, which brought tears to my eyes. An ex Ghukha soldiers son in Nepal, carried his very elderly father strapped to his back across country for miles, to collect his British Army pension AKA as a pittance/insult. This lot (New Labour) have even stopped the soldiers wives from accompanying their men, who were serving over here....lovely caring lot aren't they? Iv'e got to go now because the words floating around in my brain are not legal on this site!!!!!

Account suspended ● 6578d

There seems to be a campaign growing to right the wrong we have done to this brave man, as one journalist observed yesterday, we keep rapists, drug dealers and murderers because they claim their lives are in danger if we return them to their own countries, but a man who has shown unswerving loyalty to us we treat with contempt, what the Japanese failed to do - we seem hell bent on finishing. The moron who was responsible for turning this old soldier away should be sacked - if not worse! I feel very ashamed, my father in law always held the Ghurkas in the highest esteem, as have most men who have fought alongside them - shouldn't we?

Vanessa Smith ● 6578d