Four hundred Gurkhas who risked their lives fighting for Britain have had their applications for UK citizenship blocked by the Government.
Tony Blair was last night accused of an "appalling" betrayal of the retired soldiers, who have been battling for the right to become British. Supporters say the thousands of asylum seekers arriving in Britain every month are given a better deal and the Gurkhas are being treated unjustly...
"We'd have better treatment if we jumped out of a truck at Dover"
The Gurkhas are a group of soldiers from Nepal who have been serving in the British Army for over 200 years. They have a long history of bravery and loyalty, and have played a crucial role in many wars and conflicts, including the two World Wars and numerous other conflicts around the world.
The UK government recently changed its immigration rules, making it more difficult for Gurkha veterans to obtain British citizenship. This is due to the government's belief that the Gurkhas do not have strong enough ties to the UK to justify granting them citizenship.
This decision has a significant impact on the Gurkhas as it denies them the opportunity to become British citizens and enjoy the same rights and benefits as other British citizens. It also means that they will not be able to bring their families to live with them in the UK.
There has been widespread criticism and backlash against the UK government's decision. Many argue that the Gurkhas have sacrificed their lives for Britain and have earned the right to citizenship. Numerous petitions and campaigns have been launched to urge the government to reverse this decision.
There is still hope for the Gurkhas to obtain citizenship in the future. The government has stated that they will consider exceptional cases on an individual basis, and there is also the possibility of challenging the decision through legal means. However, it is uncertain whether or not the government will change its stance on this issue.