Well done Shepway: Unanimous support for Council Gurkha motion

11.49.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Jul 2008

Shepway Council tonight (9 July) unanimously passed a motion in support of a fair deal for Gurkhas, with speeches of support for the motion from Lib Dem, Conservative and People First Councillors. The motion called for equality for Gurkha soldiers in pay and pension rights, and the right of abode in the United Kingdom for Gurkha soldiers and their families.

The motion, moved by Cheriton Councillor Peter Carroll and seconded by Park Councillor Lynne Beaumont, said:

"This Council recognises the extensive contribution to the defence of this country by the members of the Brigade of Gurkha's, both serving and retired, and believes that the heroism displayed by these brave soldiers should be properly recognised by the country they fought so hard to protect.

"The Council calls on the Chief Executive to write to the Defence Secretary to express concern at the unfair treatment of Nepalese members of the Brigade of Gurkha's, in particular those who served before 1997, and to call for equality in pay and pension rights, and the right of abode in the United Kingdom for these soldiers and their families."