Lib Dems back ex-Gurkha and Victoria Cross hero Tul Bahadur Pun
Shepway Lib Dems have welcomed a Home Office U-turn on a previous decision to deny access to the UK for an 84 year old Gurkha hero who won the VC fighting for Britain. Tul Bahadur Pun currently lives in Nepal, but wants to come to the UK for medical treatment. He has heart problems, asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure and requires daily medication - which is not always available in Nepal.
Tul Bahadur Pun was awarded the Victoria Cross after single-handedly storming Japanese machinegun positions during the Second World War.
Previously the Home Office had ruled that the application to enter the country should be refused because he does not have "strong ties with the UK". Today, the Home Office bowed to public opinion, and agreed to allow Tul Bahadur Pun to settle in Britain. Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:
"The circumstances surrounding Tul Bahadur Pun's case are clearly exceptional, and in the light of this the Home Secretary, John Reid, and I have reviewed the case and made the decision to grant Mr Pun a settlement visa immediately. This decision was not taken lightly and reflects the extraordinary nature of this case, in particular Mr Pun's heroic record in service of Britain which saw him awarded the Victoria Cross."
in 2004, after a long campaign led by ex-Gurkhas and strongly supported by the Liberal Democrats, the Government changed the rules to allow Gurkhas discharged from the army after 1997 to become British citizens. A subsequent campaign has now seen fairer pension rights given to Gurkhas discharged after that date as well, but the campaign continues to secure fair rights for all those who served and were discharged prior to 1997.
Local Lib Dem Councillor and long time campaigner for Gurkha rights Peter Carroll said:
"Although we warmly welcome the decision today to allow Mr Pun a settlement visa, I and all my colleagues believe that the original decision to refuse Mr Pun access to the UK was a total outrage. How could any official say that he has failed to demonstrate strong ties to the UK!
"What stronger ties can you have than winning the ultimate accolade for bravery - the VC. I wonder when the official who made that judgment last faced danger in the course of his duties?"
Folkestone's Shorncliffe Barracks is the UK home to Royal Gurkha Rifles. Shepway Liberal Democrats have been fighting for Gurkha rights for many years - see www.gurkhajustice.org.uk for more information.
Related Links
Sign up
for email updates
