"If someone is prepared to die for our country, they should be able to live in our country"
July 15, 2008 12:08 PM
Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman Neil Matthews has warmly welcomed the intervention of Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg in backing a Freedom of Information request on its Gurkha policies. Nick Clegg has written to Gordon Brown urging him to end the Government's legal challenges that prevent the release of 50 files relating to its policy on Gurkha soldiers, and repeated his call for the Prime Minister to grant veteran Gurkhas the British citizenship they deserve.
His letter comes as a group of veteran Gurkhas today launched a High Court action seeking the release of the files, having had applications under the Freedom of Information Act turned down.
In the letter, Nick Clegg wrote:
"It is yet another gross insult to the Gurkhas that despite their bravery, unstinting service and commitment to the United Kingdom, they have been wilfully frustrated in their attempts to put their case for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
"I urge you to halt this expensive legal charade and do what is right by the Gurkhas, and grant them all, regardless of retirement date, the British citizenship they deserve.
"I believe that if someone is prepared to die for our country, they should be able to live in our country. It is a simple principle, I urge you to respect it."
Neil Matthews said:
"I'm pleased that Nick is continuing to offer the Gurkha's campaign for justice his strong support, as the Lib Dems have done for some years. It's obscene that our Government is continuing to hold out against giving a fair deal to all Gurkhas on citizenship and pensions.
"I was delighted to see Shepway Council unanimously backing a motion supporting the Gurkha's cause last week in a motion put forward by the Lib Dem group. It's now time the Government backed down on its position and gave our brave soldiers the citizenship and pension rights that they deserve."
Nick Clegg's letter read:
Dear Gordon,
Today, veteran Gurkhas will apply to a High Court Judge requesting disclosure of 50 policy files being withheld from them by your Government, despite applications through the Freedom of Information Act.
It is yet another gross insult to the Gurkhas that despite their bravery, unstinting service and commitment to the United Kingdom, they have been wilfully frustrated in their attempts to put their case for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
I urge you to halt this expensive legal charade and do what is right by the Gurkhas, and grant them all, regardless of retirement date, the British citizenship they deserve.
Time is of the essence. Already at least seven Gurkhas have died awaiting the outcome of their immigration case appeals. One man, Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rai had part of his back blown out by Argentine artillery fire near Bluff Cove, Falkland Islands on 11 June 1982. Yet despite being a Falklands hero, the Home Office believes he does not have "strong ties" to the UK. There are countless other cases like his.
I urge you therefore to think very hard on those fifty service medals which you rightly accepted from a group of Gurkhas last month. I also urge you to consider that a Bill for Gurkha citizenship rights tabled by the Liberal Democrats and recently debated in the House of Lords, obtained support from all sides of the House.
I believe that if someone is prepared to die for our country, they should be able to live in our country. It is a simple principle, I urge you to respect it.
Yours sincerely,
Nick Clegg MP
2. Fifty Gurkhas handed their military medals to Nick Clegg to pass on to Gordon Brown in protest at their treatment. Nick Clegg presented the medals to Downing Street last month and has raised the treatment of Gurkhas during Prime Minister's Questions.
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