Lumley speaks for Gurkha campaign

Actress Joanna Lumley has addressed a rally in London as part of a campaign to win Gurkhas who retired before 1997 the automatic right to live in the UK.

Lumley, wearing a Gurkha Justice Campaign T-shirt, spoke to a crowd of about 2,000 in Parliament Square.

Hundreds of Gurkhas, many of whom live in Kent, assembled with supporters and politicians from all parties.

In September, the High Court ruled that the immigration policy used to exclude pre-1997 retired Gurkhas was unlawful.

Campaigners said on Thursday the Government needed to implement a new policy bringing equality to all Gurkhas.

Lumley, whose father served with the Sixth Gurkha Rifles, said: "This is the day when we can show the government a small section of the feelings of this country.

"There is a feeling that such an injustice has been done by successive governments to the fine soldiers that it has to end."

Victoria Cross

In the past six weeks almost 250,000 people have signed a petition backing the cause for veterans' rights to settle in this country.

The crowd heard speeches outside the Houses of Parliament as they walked to Downing Street to hand over the petition.

Dressed in black Lumley led the procession along Whitehall with two Victoria Cross heroes, Tul Bahadur Pun and Lachiman Gurung.

Earlier, retired Gurkha Dan Gurung, who is a British citizen and a councillor in Folkestone, Kent, led a two-minute silence in memory of two serving Gurkhas who died recently in Afghanistan.

Colour Sgt Krishnabahadur Dura and Rifleman Yubraj Rai were from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, based in Folkestone.

Mr Gurung said: "This is the proof and truth our two heroes have clearly demonstrated.

"The Gurkhas always sacrifice their lives in the past and in the present for this country."

Earlier Peter Carroll, who has helped lead and support the campaign since 2004, said: "The victory is not won until the government comes in with a much fairer policy.

"If a Gurkha has served his time in the British Army, he has the right to live in the country he was prepared to die for."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I have always been clear that where there is a compelling case, soldiers and their families should be considered for settlement.

"The judge agreed that our cut-off date of 1997 is fair.

"However, as I made cear after the court's ruling, we will revise and publish new guidance.

"We will honour our commitment to the Gurkhas by reviewing all cases by the end of the year."

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