WILLIAMS WELCOMES GURKHA U-TURN

10.38.42am GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2009

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, has welcomed the Government's announcement on that 36,000 additional Gurkha soldiers who served in the British Army before 1997, and their families, will be given the right to remain in the UK.

Mr Williams said:

"I welcome the Government decision to extend the right to remain for those who served before 1997

"That someone can serve in the British Army and then not be entitled to the same rights as British soldiers is a disgrace and I am glad that the Government has announced this U-turn.

"Brecon is home to the Mandalay Company and has a large Gurkha community who are well respected and, along with their families, welcomed into our communities

NOTES:

The attached picture show's Roger Williams at the Gurkha Justice Campaign Rally in London, November 2008.