4:27pm UK, Friday April 24, 2009

Actress Joanna Lumley says she is furious at the Home Office's new rules set out for Gurkhas to live in Britain.

Joanna Lumley and a Gurkha campaigner outside the Houses of Parliament in London

Actress Joanna Lumley vows to continue her campaign for the Gurkhas

The Government says around 4,000 Gurkhas and some 6,000 spouses and their children will benefit from this - Gurkhasupporters say only around 100 will be allowed to settle.

The actress, who is a long-standing campaigner for the cause, said she was very surprised by the decision.

"The Gurkhas cannot meet these new criteria. It makes me ashamed of our government. We will fight on. We don't stop.

"This has set us back in its obtuse lack of understanding of any of the problems facing these men or, I think, of the conditions facing soldiers.

180-iraq-gurkhas in kuwait

Gurkhas are serving in Afghanistan

"I think this is inexplicable. I can only think they have no notion of the armed services. They have no direct experience of what it is."

She vowed to continue the campaign, saying: "This is a setback. We simply regroup and start again. We don't give up the battle just because one of the tactics has failed."

Martin Howe, of Howe & Co solicitors, acting on behalf of the Gurkhas said: "This is nothing less than an act of treachery. It has scant regard to the High Court judgment of last September.

"It has scant regard to the wishes of the people up and down the length and breadth of the country.

It makes me ashamed of our government. We will fight on. We don't stop. This has set us back in its obtuse lack of understanding of any of the problems facing these men or, I think, of the conditions facing soldiers.

Actress Joanna Lumley

"We have a so-called Labour Government prepared to give £200bn to banks but not a penny to the Gurkhas...that is prepared to keep the ordinary rank-and-file soldier who has served so gallantly and has served this country for 15 years ... out, and trying to allow a small handful of officer-class men in.

"It's nothing short of scandalous. All this does is insult the integrity of the men of the brigade.

"This is a matter that will be going back to the court."

Ragprasad Purja, 43, served with the Gurkhas for 17 years. He said: "It is the saddest day for the Gurkhas and the saddest day for the British Government. "I cannot believe that this Government made such a decision.

The new rules state Gurkhas and their families will be allowed to settle in Britain if they meet one of these five criteria:

:: Three years continuous residence in the UK during or after their service;
:: Close family in the UK;
:: A level 1-3 bravery award (including the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross);
:: Service of 20 years or more in the Gurkha brigade;
:: Or a chronic or long-term medical condition caused by, or aggravated by,
service in the brigade.

In addition Gurkhas will normally be allowed to settle in the UK if they meet two or more of the following criteria:

:: They were previously awarded a UK MoD disability pension but no longer have a chronic medical condition;
:: A mention in dispatches;
:: Service of 10 years or a campaign medal for active service in the brigade.