Forum Topic

Gurkhas Rights to reside in the UK

I make no apology for raising this issue once again, but this government are again refusing to allow these brave loyal friends to reside in the UK on retiring from the British Army, because " They have no direct connection to this country"!So it's alright to put your life on the line, win gallantry medals,and fight on our side in every conflict that we have been involved in for over 200 years, then when you retire, we will give you a pittance of a pension  pat you on the head and wave you off back home to Nepal.Meanwhile we have to take back from Australia, a serial Paedophile, who is being deported back here, no doubt with police protection,a free home, and endless benefits, just like the other scumbag who came back here a while ago from there.We let all and sundry enter the UK, regardless of where they're from, no matter if they are a danger to the security of this country. I am amazed at the lack of comment on this forum, about the plight of these men who have handed back their medals, and are now threatening to go on hunger strike. Where are all of the PC Brigade who demonstrate outside  Asylum detention centres for their Human Rights...........The more I learn about this government, the more it sickens me.We have had very little comment on here (I think) on the amount of expenses they can, and do claim for their SECOND HOMES, £10k for a kitchen if you please amonst other items. A gurkha WO11 with fifteen years service gets less than £200 a month pension, and they wonder why recruitment is down!!!!! Care to comment Alan Sheerins, as you are a fervent Labour supporter.

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6339d34 Comments

"Isn't there a village missing an idiot somewhere?"Yes Isleworth I believe. Keep 'em coming Vanessa!

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Well done the Gurkha's and their supporters!(I didn't want to add it to the other posting)

Sarah Felstead ● 6143d

One of the ingredients of a punch and judy show is it is predicable.

Sarah Felstead ● 6143d

Isn't there a village missing an idiot somewhere?

Vanessa Smith ● 6143d

"Oh look,JC`s puppet has resurfaced!"And now it seems we have PA's as well,goody we can have a Punch and Judy show,that's the way to do it! What a silly little boy you are. If you have nothing to say about the subject (Gurkhas) Then p**s off, and take Smudger with you. She is still bitter that she got her ass kicked out of office, and is still even more bitter about it, after all this time, whats your excuse? One minute she harps on about racism, then talks about sick bags.......sad and bitter aren't you Vanessa, I'm just glad that she and her cohorts have No influence in politics now? We should all be grateful for that!

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"Oh look,JC`s puppet has resurfaced!"And now it seems we have PA's as well,goody we can have a Punch and Judy show,that's the way to do it!

Tony Wood ● 6143d

Oh look,JC`s puppet has resurfaced!

Paul Fisher ● 6143d

If anyone requires one - I have some sickness bags to pass around.

Vanessa Smith ● 6143d

PaulI echo your sentiments, I would give my right arm to shake his hand.......perhaps one day, I will get my wish!Isn't it a strange world that we live in, when my hands have hardly left the keyboard to post an item, the "luvvies" of the PC brigade are falling over themselves to harp on about bigotry, racism, etc, yet they are conspicuous by their absence, when there is something as worthy of comment, such as the Gurkhas and their victory.......still I should not be at all surprised should I, we even have individuals insulting our Royal family on here. Thank goodness we now have people like Cllr Paul Fisher, and his ICG colleagues, who know how to conduct themselves!!!!!

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PaulI echo your sentiments, I would give my right arm to shake his hand.......perhaps one day, I will get my wish!

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Andrew and I hope all other Hounslow residents will feel very honoured and proud that we now have another Gurkha VC holder living in our Borough who joined us very recently.

Paul Fisher ● 6144d

Wonderful, wonderful news Kathleen, thanks for all the info. I hero worship these people and am very proud that I served with them in Malaya in the 50's.

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From the BBC today http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7644441.stm Gurkhas win right to stay in UKA 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.'Debt of honour'The regiment moved its main base from Hong Kong to the UK in 1997 and the government had argued that Gurkhas discharged before that date were unlikely to have strong residential ties with the UK.That meant those who wanted to settle in the UK had to apply for British residence and could be refused and deported.The judgement could affect some 2,000 former Gurkhas who retired before 1997.The judge, Mr Justice Blake, said the Gurkhas' long service, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown all pointed to a "moral debt of honour" and gratitude felt by British people.He ruled that instructions given by the Home Office to immigration officials were unlawful and needed urgent revision.Lawyer Martin Howe said: "Today we have seen a tremendous and historic victory for the gallant Gurkha veterans of Nepal."This is a victory that restores honour and dignity to deserving soldiers who faithfully served in Her Majesty's armed forces."It is a victory for common sense; a victory for fairness; and a victory for the British sense of what is right."Gurkhas win right to stay in UKThe five ex-Gurkhas involved in the test case were L/Cpl Gyanendra Rai, Deo Prakash Limbu, Cpl Chakra Limbu, L/Cpl Birendra Shrestha and Bhim Gurung. Gita Mukhiya also took part on behalf her deceased husband.Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and are hand picked from a fiercely contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two world wars.'Wonderful vindication'Lumley, whose father served with the Gurkhas, was one of those leading the campaign.Outside court, she said: "This day is more important than I can tell you because it gives our country the chance to right a great wrong and to wipe out a national shame that has stained us all."Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it was a "wonderful vindication" for those who had campaigned for a change in the law. We will honour our commitment to the Gurkhas by reviewing all cases by the end of the yearHome Secretary Jacqui Smith"I've always felt that if someone is prepared to die for this country, then they should have the right to live in this country," he said."The key thing now is to look at the ruling in detail and to make sure that the government now translates that into action and doesn't try and squirm out of it."Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said in a statement that the Home Office would revise its guidance surrounding the 1997 cut-off date."I have always been clear that where there is a compelling case, soldiers and their families should be considered for settlement," she said."We will honour our commitment to the Gurkhas by reviewing all cases by the end of the year."

Kath Richardson ● 6145d

Excellent spread about these brave men in todays Sun!(Yes! I know it's a "racist rag as some of the luvvies have said before) I hope those useless sods at the MOD, can tear themselves away from the trough, and spend some time reading and digesting it! Anne this means you and Al as well!!!!

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The UK government signed up to "Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 of 18 February 2003 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an asylum application lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national". In particular, "The Regulation observes the fundamental rights and principles which are acknowledged in particular in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union." This gave the EU ultimate control of the admission of asylum seekers. Although prime minister Blair called the Afghan hijacker ruling "an abuse of common sense", Mr Justice Sullivan found in favour of the hijackers, and was backed up by Lord Justice Brooke (calling Sullivan's ruling "impeccable"). Brooke went on, "The history of this case ... has attracted a degree of opprobrium for carrying out judicial functions. Judges have to apply the law as they find it, not as they might wish it to be...There has been ample time for the home secretary to obtain appropriate parliamentary authority." Of course, “the law as they find it” and ultimate authority on this resides in Brussels, not Westminster. This was why the home secretary couldn't "obtain appropriate parliamentary authority", as the parliament in Westminster no longer has ultimate authority on such issues. Hence four British home secretaries eventually being thwarted on this case.-------It was the British government then – not “the courts” - that ceded the EU government the right to dictate policy that ultimately enabled those hijackers to stay in the UK.If leaders are stupid enough to sign away sovereignty on issues such as this, they can’t complain about ‘abuses of common sense’ after the fact. Pot, kettle, black and all that.To echo Mr Atkinson’s comments yesterday, it wasn’t the Daily Mail or Channel 4 that signed up to this. We reap what they sow.

Fraser Pearce ● 6331d

Claire"Can I please confirm that it was not the Government that allowed the Afghan hijakers to remain in this country, it was the courts."Who was it who signed the Human Rights Act, that allowed them to stay,it certaily wasn't the Daily Mail or Channel four was it?Yes it's a wonderful piece of legislation....especially if you are a murderer, rapist, paedophile, or a hijacker!

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Can I please confirm that it was not the Government that allowed the Afghan hijakers to remain in this country, it was the courts.You all have valid points on this issue, please don't spoil it with Daily Mail / Channel 4 type reporting.

Claire Peleschka ● 6332d

Bump!

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Vanessa"You don't do irony do you?" Yes we also do washing at no extra charge!

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You don't do irony do you?

Vanessa Smith ● 6333d

FraserAlways have the nerve,if it is what you think! That's why the political correct idiots, who are the vocal minority are getting away with their crackpot ideas........I say "sod em! speak out as long as it is within the law.

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I was going to suggest something similar to your 'Calais strategy', Andrew, but didn't have the nerve!Of course, Britain's asylum laws also originate in Brussels, not Westminster (Regulation 343/2004).

Fraser Pearce ● 6334d

Fraser"Until the British government grows some balls and breaks ranks on this issue, Gurkha wishes, common sense and common decency will be ignored." Unless of course they decide to hijack an aeroplane, fly it here, threaten to shoot any hostages if they don't get their way, and further add the cost of the operation which ran into hundreds of thousands. But Hey Ho, they were given a home in Hounslow, plus all the creature comforts, thus preventing a homeless family here being offered it. And it is reported that only one of them has since found work...aren't we a compassionate caring country? I would recommend that they go to Calais, (the place where many of them fought to eject the Germans from, and thus preventing them from getting here!) And hide in lorries coming to the UK........and lo and behold they will be surrounded with all manner of gifts and directions to the nearest benefit office.

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There's a wider dimension to this whole issue, the fact that Britain is bound by the spirit of EU legislation on this subject.Specifically, the legislation in question is called '2003/109/EC' - which determines the entry requirements for 'third country nationals' to the EU.In theory, the Amsterdam Treaty gave Britain an opt-out on this law - meaning, of course, that the British government should be able to grant ex-Gurkhas British citizenship.In reality, however, although not legally bound by 2003/109/EC, British policy is consistent with the EU's - and there are practical reasons for this. EU law states that, if a person is granted citizenship of one EU country, they can then enjoy their rights as "EU citizens" in every other of the 26 member states, e.g. a Gurkha granted British citizenship would then be free to set up home in Paris, Berlin or Rome. Furthermore, once given EU residency, an individual’s relatives get residency too (Article 17, paragraph 3 of another law allows children, parents and in-laws to stay).Although possessing an opt out then, Britain doesn't use it - for fear of being regarded as a backdoor for entry into the wider EU. Until the British government grows some balls and breaks ranks on this issue, Gurkha wishes, common sense and common decency will be ignored.

Fraser Pearce ● 6334d

"Can we all concentrate on the issue in question, and stop the backbiting."  Good Idea!"and stand up for the equality that we keep hearing about from the luvvie PC brigade." Now I'm confused?

Tony Wood ● 6336d

Pot calling kettle Vanessa?

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Can we all concentrate on the issue in question, and stop the backbiting. The goverment who are in power at present are the only ones who can change anything, past govenments are old hat, and it's time to stop arguing who did or does what years ago. Let us concentrate on the plight of these lovely people, and stand up for the equality that we keep hearing about from the luvvie PC brigade.

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Or David Cameron MP?

John Connelly ● 6336d

I am very pleased there is a consensus on this issue stretching from Andrew Atkinson across to John Connelly and Vanessa Smith.However, I wonder what Ann Keen MP's position is ?

David Giles ● 6337d

the more I think about this the  more  angry I get , I  have just read how convicted terrorists, have  been given their choice of prisons, cos they felt threatened,  and the bravest of the brave those who who go to war to defend us get shafted, and that comment includes  the  fine young people of the British forces serving  anywhere , including Peterborough where they can't step out in Uniform, for fear of being attacked what a disgrace.

Michael D Giddings ● 6337d

Absolutely right John - but God forbid that anything remotely resembling common sense or less than rabid political point scoring should interfere on here.

Vanessa Smith ● 6337d

Very true.This issue has been debated since WW11 ended. Its not just this present Labour Government that has done nothing its every Govt Labour & Tory since WW11.All troops who served in the British army should have the right to live & work in the UK, including the Iraq's who have been working with the British troops.

Neil Chippendale ● 6337d

The issue is as serious one. However, rather than pointing the figure at the present government in isolation you might question why successive governments from Attlee, through Churchill, Wilson and Thatcher, failed to allow the millions who served in the armed forces from overseas to settle here over the last 60 years.

John Connelly ● 6338d

I thought that Comrade Sheerins had already slipped off the page and out of the country.Andrew Atkinson is right. Anybody who serves this country's Armed Forces in combat and for a certain minimal period of time not only earns the right of abode but the right to citizenship.This should apply not only to Gurkhas but to Fijians, West and East Indians, South Africans, Zimbabweans, Zambians, Nigerians and those who come from many countries to serve this Queen and this Country.The USA has recognised this for many years.

David Giles ● 6338d

You have no chance of Sheerins or any other comrade commenting on this as they hope it will slip off the page Andrew.It is sickening.

Paul Fisher ● 6339d