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You have to admire Joanna Lumley for the single-handed way in which she completely turned round the government’s attitude to the rights of our Gurkha soldiers.
Having presented a petition to 10 Downing Street, she later forced the immigration minister to agree in front of television cameras that the government would take another look at the issue. After a Commons defeat, it then agreed to let all Gurkha veterans who had served four years or more in the British Army before 1997 settle in Britain.
Speaking to the Commons Home Affairs Committee recently, the Defence Minister criticised her for her subsequent 'deathly silence' even though, as I understand it, the government asked her to take a back seat. Understandably, Ms Lumley was very upset by this.
So, yesterday, the Prime Minister made yet another phone call to Ms Lumley and expressed his regrets about the minister’s remarks who later apologised ‘unreservedly for any offence caused’.
You have to hand it to Ms Lumley. She has stood up for what she believes in and has forced ministers and a prime minister to humble themselves.
She should think of standing for Parliament!
.
You have to admire Joanna Lumley for the single-handed way in which she completely turned round the government’s attitude to the rights of our Gurkha soldiers.
Having presented a petition to 10 Downing Street, she later forced the immigration minister to agree in front of television cameras that the government would take another look at the issue. After a Commons defeat, it then agreed to let all Gurkha veterans who had served four years or more in the British Army before 1997 settle in Britain.
Speaking to the Commons Home Affairs Committee recently, the Defence Minister criticised her for her subsequent 'deathly silence' even though, as I understand it, the government asked her to take a back seat. Understandably, Ms Lumley was very upset by this.
So, yesterday, the Prime Minister made yet another phone call to Ms Lumley and expressed his regrets about the minister’s remarks who later apologised ‘unreservedly for any offence caused’.
You have to hand it to Ms Lumley. She has stood up for what she believes in and has forced ministers and a prime minister to humble themselves.
She should think of standing for Parliament!
.
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