Martin Salter, MP for Reading West spent this morning (Thursday 20 Nov 08) pushing forward the campaign for Gurkha settlement rights.

He questioned Immigration Minister Phil Woolas on why the Government gave settlement rights to the Falkland Islanders following the 1982 Falklands War, but not to the Gurkhas who risked their lives to bring them freedom. Later he joined other members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gurkha Rights, which Mr Salter now chairs, at a demonstration and rally in Parliament Square headed by TV star Joanna Lumley (see attached press release of 18^th November).

Martin Salter said:

“It was an impressive and emotional occasion with fine speeches from Gurkha organisations and their supporters both in and outside of Parliament. The support of people like Joanna Lumley has been immensely valuable in keeping public attention focused on this issue. I really do believe that this campaign has ignited real passion amongst people the length and breadth of Britain who simply cannot understand why brave Gurkha soldiers are treated differently from other foreign nationals who have served the British Crown.”

He added:

“There was a particular poignant moment when Joanna Lumley, together with the two surviving Gurkha Victoria Cross holders laid a wreath in memory of the 45,000 Gurkhas who lost their lives serving our country.”