Prime Minister Gordon Brown Promises Joanna Lumley a "new solution" for Gurkhas by end of May
Joanna Lumley has today met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown on behalf of the Gurkha Justice Campaign to discuss Gurkha rights. Joanna Lumley said Mr Brown had taken the matter "into his own hands" and would come up with a "solution" to the issue of residency rights by the end of May.
Commenting on the meeting and pledge by Gordon Brown, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:
"My suspicions rise when the Prime Minister says reassuring things in private, but refuses to state unequivocally in Prime Minister's Questions that he will respect the principle that if you are good enough to fight and die for this country, you are good enough to live here.
"Whenever ministers talk about the Gurkha issue, they surround their apparent acceptance of the public will and the Commons vote with assertions that the detail is all very difficult. It is not.
"Most Gurkhas who would have the right to live here would not want to do so because of their high standard of living in Nepal, any more than most Europeans would want to come here because they have the right to do so.
"The more the Prime Ministers sucks his teeth, the worse it is going to be for him because we will put down amendments to the Borders and Immigration Bill and I have no doubt that they will be carried.
"Gordon Brown needs to accept this with good grace, and stop dragging his feet."
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