Reading West MP Martin Salter has today (10 Dec 08) written to Gordon Brown to highlight the plight of Gurkhas living in Britain and campaigning the same settlement rights accorded to other foreign nationals who complete four or more years of service to the British Army.

Commenting on Mr Gurung’s death, Martin Salter said,

“As chair of the recently former All Party Parliamentary Group on Gurkhas Rights I wish to offer my condolences to the friends and family of Rifleman Bhim Pasad Gurung who served our country bravely and risked his life in the jungles of Brunei whilst serving the British Army. It is a scar on the conscience of our nation that this brave man was originally denied leave to enter Britain and I hope that the forthcoming announcement from the Government on the Gurkhas will ensure that people who have fought for our country will never be rejected in this way again. I am appalled that this man died in poverty and before he has had a chance to learn whether his campaign was successful in changing Government policy.”