At last - justice for Gurkhas

12.58.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 22nd May 2009

A great victory for the Gurkhas

Reacting to the Government's announcement that all Gurkha veterans with four years' service would be allowed to move to the UK, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said he was "absolutely thrilled". The announcement follows a key House of Commons vote led by the Liberal Democrats that the Government lost. It outlined rules that will allow Gurkhas who retired before 1997 with four years service to settle here with their immediate families.

Nick Clegg said; "I am absolutely thrilled that the Gurkhas have finally been given justice. This is a great victory for the Gurkhas and for everyone who has campaigned on their behalf. Gordon Brown has finally woken up to the principle that people across Britain understand instinctively: if someone is prepared to die for this country, they must be allowed to live in it."

"Tragically this decision will come too late for many of those brave Gurkhas who have been waiting so long to see justice done. Gordon Brown's claim of a 'moral compass' rings hollow when, on every issue from Gurkhas to expenses, he has to be dragged every inch of the way towards doing the right thing."