'Don't challenge Gurkhas ruling' (From Western Telegraph)

'Don't challenge Gurkhas ruling'

1:29am Thursday 2nd October 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

Tory leader David Cameron has urged the Government not to try and overturn a landmark court ruling giving Gurkhas the right to stay in Britain.

In his keynote conference speech, Mr Cameron paid tribute to the bravery of the Gurkhas and pressed ministers not to turn their back on them.

"I know there are difficult questions about pensions and housing but let's find a way to make it work," he said after Tuesday's High Court judgment.

"Don't appeal this ruling. Let's give those brave Gurkha soldiers who fought for us the right to come and live with us."

More than 2,000 former Gurkha soldiers have been refused permission to settle here because they had retired before July 1997.

But following a high profile campaign a High Court judge on Tuesday condemned the policy as "unlawful" and ordered the Government to urgently review immigration guidelines.

Veterans wept with joy and cheered after the landmark ruling.

Mr Cameron said of the judgment: "The courts ruled that Gurkhas who want to come and live in Britain should be able to do so.

"They risked their lives for us and now we must not turn our backs on them."

• Print
• Email
• Share