Britain allows Gurkha soldiers to settle in UK
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L) meets with actress Joanna Lumley at 10 Downing Street, in central London yesterday. Campaigners for Gurkha veterans voiced confidence Thursday that they had succeeded in forcing the British government into a policy U-turn to allow the former soldiers to settle in Britain. Photo: AFP
Britain announced yesterday that all of the Nepalese fighters who have served at least four years in the British army can apply to live in Britain.
The amended settlement guidelines, announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith in the House of Commons, were greeted by an explosion of applause and victory cries by Gurkhas and campaigners gathered outside parliament.
Gordon Brown has "made a brave decision on behalf of the bravest of the brave," said actress Joanna Lumley, who spearheaded the fight against residency restrictions on Gurkhas who retired before 1997.
"This will be received in Nepal today with the greatest joy and gratitude," added Lumley, whose father was a British major in the 6th Gurkha Rifles during World War II.
Under the earlier rules, Britain would only give residency rights to 4,300 ex-Gurkhas, falling short of demands that they be granted to all 36,000 Nepalese ex-soldiers who served with the British army before 1997.
About 200,000 Gurkhas fought for Britain in World Wars I and II and more than 45,000 died in British uniform. Around 3,500 Gurkhas currently serve in the British army, including in Afghanistan.
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