Matthews fury at Government's Gurkha announcement

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Folkestone and Hythe, Neil Matthews, has said he feels "contempt for the Government" today following the Governments announcement that they will not extend citizenship rights to all ex-Gurkhas.

The Government changed the rules following a major campaign backed by the Lib Dems in 2004 to allow Gurkhas who retired after 1997 to stay in this country, but no such right was given to those who retired before 1997. Since that time, Gurkhas and campaigners have been fighting for the same rights for all ex-Gurkha's irrespective of their retirement date.

A High Court ruling in September 2008 judged that the Government's policy was unlawful and unfair, and insisted the Government change their policy. In response today, the Government have made a fresh announcement which extends to right to settlement to a few more Gurkhas, but falls well short of the campaigners demands. To qualify, most Gurkhas will need to have served 20 years. The normal period of service for a non-officer Gurkha was 15 years.

Neil Matthews said:

"We had such hope for today's announcement, but now I can only feel contempt for this gutless, sickening Government decision. We owe the Gurkhas who have served this Country a huge debt of honour, but sadly, honour seems to be a word that the British Government no longer understands.

"I will continue to work with Gurkha campaigners for a proper settlement for all ex-Gurkhas and know the huge majority of people in this country support the campaign too.

"At the next election, I hope the Government MPs who made this decision today are brought to account by the voters in their constituencies for their actions."

Folkestone & Hythe is the home of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who are based at Shorncliffe Barracks in Folkestone.