This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7965492.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Gurkha settlement plan 'in weeks' Gurkha settlement plan 'in weeks'
(about 1 hour later)
Changes to rules governing the right of Gurkhas to settle in Britain will be announced within three weeks, the High Court has been told. Changes to rules governing the right of Gurkhas to settle in Britain will be announced within the next month, the High Court has been told.
Edward Fitzgerald QC, representing the former soldiers, said the home secretary and lawyers for the Gurkhas had agreed "on almost everything".Edward Fitzgerald QC, representing the former soldiers, said the home secretary and lawyers for the Gurkhas had agreed "on almost everything".
The Gurkhas have returned to the High Court to try to make the government act on a ruling made last September.The Gurkhas have returned to the High Court to try to make the government act on a ruling made last September.
The court had said excluding those who retired before 1997 was unlawful.The court had said excluding those who retired before 1997 was unlawful.
A Home Office spokesman indicated the test cases would now be reviewed by 7 May and it would initially reconsider all the other outstanding cases by the middle of June. Mr Fitzgerald told Mr Justice Blake sitting at the High Court that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had agreed to announce the new policy within the next month, but that she wished to tell Parliament first.
It had originally said it was to review all cases by the end of 2008 but asked for an extra three months to publish a new policy for more than 1,300 Gurkhas. She would make a statement by 24 April and reconsider the five leading Gurkha test cases under the new policy before 7 May, he said.
'Galvanised by death' Hundreds of other outstanding cases would be considered by 11 June, he added.
Solicitor Martin Howe, who also represents the former soldiers, said the veterans had shown integrity and patience and were further galvanised by the death on 15 March of a Gurkha refused entry to the UK. 'Over the horizon'
There are thought to be more than 300 veterans in the UK waiting for their cases to be decided. The Home Office had originally said it would review all cases by the end of 2008 but asked for an extra three months to publish a new policy for more than 1,300 Gurkhas.
Prominent supporter actress Joanna Lumley - whose father served with the Gurkhas - said it was a "chance to right a great wrong". The High Court has heard how many former servicemen died waiting for the case to be resolved.
The government has had to be shamed, kicking and screaming, back to court again and again to achieve something which any British man or woman would have given freely David EnrightSolicitor for the Gurkhas
The most recent case was Rifleman Prem Bahadur Pun, who died on 15 March.
Mr Justice Blake told the court any appeals would "have to be over the horizon, rather than in the far distance".
After the hearing, solicitor David Enright told those Gurkhas outside court: "The government has delayed month upon sorry month, allowing your fathers to die while their sons served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"The government has had to be shamed, kicking and screaming, back to court again and again to achieve something which any British man or woman would have given freely."
'Stain on UK'
Prominent supporter actress Joanna Lumley - whose father served with the Gurkhas - said the High Court ruling last hear had given the UK a "chance to right a great wrong".
"The way that successive governments have treated Gurkhas who retired before 1997 is truly offensive and a stain on our national character.
"These are men who have served in the British army, sometimes for 20 years and more."
A Home Office spokesman said its policy had always been clear that where there was a "compelling case" Gurkha soldiers and their families should be considered for settlement.
"Since 2004, over 6000 former Gurkhas and family members have been granted settlement in the UK under immigration rules," he continued.
"We are determined to get the guidance right to ensure that it is fair to all Gurkhas. This has involved consultation across government."
Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and are hand picked from a fiercely-contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and are hand picked from a fiercely-contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.
They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two world wars.They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two world wars.