Fish and chips with champagne: How Joanna Lumley celebrated victory in Gurkha battle
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:43 PM on 21st May 2009
Joanna Lumley celebrated victory in the Gurkha battle with campaigners and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas over champagne and fish and chips.
The actress said she had cleared the air with Mr Woolas over the quintessentially British meal, complete with mushy peas, at her flat last night.
The actress also met the Prime Minister this morning to go over the Government u-turn which will allow Gurkhas the right to settle in the UK and, after a public announcement this afternoon by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, she was filled with emotion.
V for victory: Joanna Lumley celebrates outside the Houses of Parliament with fellow campaigners
As she stood outside Parliament to hear the announcement, she said: 'Today a great injustice has been righted'.
Her voice cracking with emotion and relief she said: 'We will never forget this landmark day.
'We have had unprecedented support from all across the country and all across the world
'Thanks to everybody who has supported us in smallest and largest way.'
Cheers: As Gurkas win their long battle
The actress reacts while listening to a statement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith outside the Houses of Parliament
Thanking the judiciary, home secretary and home office, she reserved special praise for the Prime Minister.
'I want to pay a special tribute to Gordon Brown the PM a brave man who has made a brave decision on behalf of bravest of the brave.'
She added: 'Today a great injustice has been righted. This is a proud day.
'For the people of Great Britain, what is greater than to say the Gurkhas are coming.'
She then joined hundreds of former Gurkhas and supporters in screaming their famous battle cry 'Ayo Gurkhali', meaning 'the Gurkhas are coming'.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with Gurkha rights campaigner Joanna Lumley this morning at Number 10 Downing Street
Jacqui Smith told the Commons this afternoon the decision would immediately affect all those who had served more than four years before 1997.
The changes would affect the 1,400 applications currently being considered, she said.
She said: 'Generations of Gurkhas have served the United Kingdom with great courage, sacrifice and distinction and they continue to make a vital and valued contribution to our operations around the world.
The actress celebrated after her meeting with the Prime Minister this morning
'We respect the will of the House of Commons on this issue and that is why I have now announced a new policy, the basis of which we have worked on with the Home Affairs Select Committee and Gurkha representatives.
'This means we can now welcome any Gurkha who has served for four years or more to settle in the UK.'
After the Government's defeat, she said ministers had undertaken to 'respect the will of the House' and come forward with fresh plans.
New guidance would do this while remaining 'affordable and consistent' with broader immigration policy.
'On the basis of the figure of 10,000 to 15,000 main applicants suggested by Gurkha representatives, I expect to be able to welcome these applicants and their families over the course of the next two years.
'I'm making resources available to do this and making it clear there should be no time limit on these applications.'
Former Gurkhas would be entitled to bring with them their spouses and dependent children under 18.
Ms Smith said 1,400 outstanding applications for settlement now before the UK Border Agency would be processed on the basis of the new policy 'as a matter of urgency' before June 11.
'This guidance recognised the unique nature of the service given to the UK by the Brigade of Gurkhas.
'It is offered to them on an exceptional basis.'
Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg, whose Commons motion led directly to the u-turn, said: 'I am absolutely thrilled that the Gurkhas have finally been given justice.
'This is a great victory for the Gurkhas and for everyone who has campaigned on their behalf.
'Gordon Brown has finally woken up to the principle that people across Britain understand instinctively: if someone is prepared to die for this country, they must be allowed to live in it.
'Tragically this decision will come too late for many of those brave Gurkhas who have been waiting so long to see justice done.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announces that all Gurkha veterans who served in the British Army before 1997 will be allowed to settle in Britain
'Gordon Brown's claim of a 'moral compass' rings hollow when, on every issue from Gurkhas to expenses, he has to be dragged every inch of the way towards doing the right thing.'
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said: 'This has been a great victory for Joanna Lumley and her well-run campaign that has publicly embarrassed Ministers and has reminded us all of the role that the Gurkhas have played in helping defend this country over the centuries.
'First and foremost this case was about basic decency. People from around the world have come to live in this country in the past decade.
'There was never a justification to deny that right to a group of people who have long lived in the nation's affections, and who have risked and often given their lives for its protection.
Celebrations for the Gurkha campaigners after the official statement this afternoon
'It is just a shame that the Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming through the courts and then through the crowds of Gurkhas outside parliament before it finally did the right thing.'
MP Keith Vaz, Labour chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said the announcement marked an 'historic' day for British democracy.
'May 21 will, from this day on, be remembered as Gurkha Rights Day.'
Earlier this morning Miss Lumley left Downing Street, after a meeting with Gordon Brown, with a wide smile on her face and claiming 'it could not be a better day'
Miss Lumley said this morning: 'I am pleased to say that meeting was extremely positive.'
The actress said she was unable to reveal the details of the chat, but seemed overcome with emotion as she added: 'It was an excellent meeting - generous, affectionate...
'I can't really think of the word because this is the time in my long life I cannot have words. But it was a superb meeting.
'We have got an amnesty on the past - it is not that dreadful phrase "line in the sand" - but yesterday is over, it is today and the future.'
The Gurkhas demanded all retired soldiers be given equal treatment. They were furious that thousands who left the service before 1997 were refused settlement rights.
Humiliating: Joanna Lumley with Phil Woolas earlier this month - but they reconciled over fish and chips
Yesterday campaigners were hesitant to crack open the champagne after the disappointment of the Government's 'broken promises' earlier this month.
Miss Lumley - the daughter of a British Gurkha officer - denounced ministers last month after they imposed rules which meant only 100 of the 36,000 eligible veterans would be allowed in.
The proposals - which flew in the face of a High Court judgment last year - would only have let in Gurkhas who served for 20 years or more, had won a major gallantry award or suffered a chronic medical condition due to service in the Army.
Ministers claimed an open-door policy would let 100,000 Gurkha veterans and dependants into Britain at a cost to the taxpayer of £1.4billion a year.
But the Government was accused of exaggerating the numbers. Miss Lumley and other campaigners said only 10,000 would take up the offer.
To Mr Brown's deep embarrassment, the actress forced a meeting with the Prime Minister, who pledged to sort out the mess personally.
For good measure, Miss Lumley then humiliated Immigration Minister Phil Woolas on live television, looking at him like he was a naughty schoolboy as he was forced to make policy up on the hoof.
Downing Street was also forced to rethink guidelines preventing many veterans from moving here after the Government suffered a crushing Commons defeat on the issue.
Pressure on Mr Brown grew after he suffered his first major defeat - by 21 votes - when 27 Labour rebels joined opposition demands for equal residency rights for all Gurkha soldiers.
Then Miss Lumley gave Mr Woolas a public dressing-down after the Home Office blocked applications from two Falklands veterans to settle here, even though Mr Brown had promised they would be treated sympathetically.
The u-turn marks a sensational triumph for the Daily Mail, which has been pushing for Gurkhas to be given passports.
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