Foreigners in the British military?

[Watchoutbelow]

This thread may have long since died, but I only just came across it!

I tried to take a very roundabout way in, went through the Civilian world, got the ATPL and Instrument rating, wanted to go down the UK Military route, (They fly bigger better faster, in more testing conditions, the type of flying every pilot wants to experience, no matter what they say, unless they are lying.)

But was told because I was not a U.K citizen I could only be a grease monkey or a rifleman, not allowed to be aircrew.

Cant help but thinking that they are only saving the good jobs for the nationals, which I suppose is fair enough, but in a time when they are in dire need of a bit of experience, commitment and personnel, you would think that someting small and pointless like that could be brushed under the carpet?