Brown's defeat on Ghurkas welcome

MEP Jim Nicholson, Conservatives and Unionists candidate for the European election, has welcomed the Government defeat this afternoon in the House of Commons on the issue of the right of Ghurkas to settle in the UK.

Mr. Nicholson said, "Gordon Brown's defeat in the House of Commons is a victory for all those who have campaigned for our country to honourably treat those who have bravely served in the Ghurkas. The Government's shameful decision last week to impose extreme restrictions, preventing Ghurkas from settling in the UK, was a disgrace and a rejection of the very values that the Ghurkas fought to defend.

"Gordon Brown and his Government must now listen to Parliament. Last week's shameful decision must be over-turned. Our nation owes the Ghurkas a debt of honour".