Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rai served more than 13 years with the 7th Gurkha Rifles and was seriously wounded in the Falklands conflict. Today, lawyers for L/Cpl Rai and other Gurkhas will again be in the High Court challenging the refusal of the British Government to let them settle automatically in this country.
In some cases, they have even been refused entry; others face deportation. Every country needs an immigration policy and we have argued that Labour’s has been too lax. But there comes a point where a debt of honour must be paid.
When foreign criminals are allowed to stay here because their human rights preclude their removal and we are not only unable to eject terrorist suspects but even pay them benefits, the idea that men who have fought bravely for this country should have to beg for entry is grotesque.
In 2004, a concession was offered to foreign soldiers who have served at least four years, and for that the Government should be applauded.
However, the Gurkhas were uniquely badly treated. For them, the concession applies only to those discharged from the Army after the handover in 1997 to China of Hong Kong, where the brigade used to be based. Those discharged earlier can be admitted under a discretionary scheme but must have demonstrated strong ties to the UK.
How much stronger must they be than wearing the Queen’s uniform and putting their lives on the line?
