Victory for the Gurkhas

At long last the Gurkhas have won the right to settle in the
UK. Today the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, made the announcement that all Ghurkas who had served more than four years service would be allowed to live in the UK.

Until recently only soldiers who had retired after 1997 were eligible, today's momentous decision has been greeted with jubilation and campaigners claim "A great injustice has been righted".

One of the most outspoken and ardent supporters of the Gurkhas, Joanna Lumley, proclaimed "the Gurkhas are coming home" after hearing the announcement. The Gurkha campaign has been one that was very close to Ms Lumley's heart, as her late father was an officer in the Gurkha regiment, she said "A great injustice has been righted".

The Gurkhas have a long and proud history with the British army having served with distinction and valour in several conflicts, soldiers are still selected from young men living in the hills of Nepal - with about 28,000 youths competing for just over 200 places each year. The selection process has been described as one of the toughest in the world.