Brown welcomes Government defeat over Gurkha settlement

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Apr 2009

Glasgow MSP Robert Brown has today hailed the Government defeat on proposals to restrict the rights of former Gurkhas to settle in the UK as a "victory for common sense."

Yesterday, MPs voted by 267 to 246 in favour of a Liberal Democrat motion that all Gurkhas should be offered an equal right of residence.

Eleventh hour concessions by Government ministers were not enough to placate rebellious backbenchers - over 100 Labour MP's defied the party whip and voted against Government plans.

Last week the Government introduced new rules which it claimed would allow over 4,000 Gurkhas to settle, but Gurkha Justice campaigners argued that only 100 would be eligible for settlement under these rules.

Robert Brown said:

"The Government defeat was very much a victory for common sense and decency.

"These brave Gurkha soldiers bravely fought for Britain and were prepared to give their lives for our country. I have never understood why they should be treated so badly and be denied the right to live here after all they have given.

"There is a simple moral principle at stake. People who are willing to die for our country, should be allowed to live in our country.

" The Government must listen to Parliament and scrap these shameful rules immediately and grant justice without conditions to all retired Gurkhas."

ends