Falklands Gurkha betrayed

[Double Zero]

Justice, honour...

We who have posted here all feel much the same - I do find it depressing there hasn't been a huge lot of posting, hopefully a lot of people will have just read it & got straight to their MP's...

Maybe I ( or preferably someone with the money ! ) could go and bring him as their 'half brother seeking asylum' or something ?

Anything that works, if the system doesn't.

Count me in...

[The Poison Dwarf]

I echo your sentiments Double Zero, there are several threads on this forum on the topics of Ghurka Pun VC and L Cpl Rai but the posts seem to be from many of the same people, perhaps the threads should be merged.

One thing that is gratifying is that regardless of colour of uniform (or former uniform) we are all "of one company and of one accord".

In addition to the publicity generated by PPrune, ARRSE and Rum ratioN, Kieran O'Rourke and the team at Howe & Co, Rod Liddle and Sir Richard Branson have done, and continue to do, outstanding work in the case of Ghurka Pun VC.

Greatest respect to all involved.

But it looks like these two cases are just the tip of the iceberg, so the pressure needs to continue until HMG in general and the FCO in particular recognise the debt of gratitude that this country owes to ALL the men from Nepal and their families and face up to their "duty of care" (Yeah right!!).

Mods, perhaps one thread dedicated to the Ghurka cause?

Nag-o-gram sent to James Gray MP

TPD

[Rocket Chucker]

Wrote to MP

I wrote to my MP, Andrew Murrison last Friday and got a reply on Saturday!!

"Thanks ****. I was not aware of this second case and will write to the
defence secretary about it.
Best wishes,
Andrew"

Don't know if it will do any good but every little helps and if enough MPs get snowed down with mail on this perhaps something will be done - so get writing fellas. I had mentioned the 85 year old Ghurkas case, which he was obviously aware of.

Will keep you posted on any further correspondence.

Per Ardua

[threepointonefour]

Don't waste your time with my MP (Grantham & Stamford) - I emailed him 10 days ago and have had no reply.

Unsurprising, when you consider that the 'wet' pompous windbag has been plotting his defection to the other side during this time. Words fail me - he claims the tories lack conviction and principals, that they don't stand for anything anymore, and yet he hasn't the common decency to reply to my polite email. GIT.

[MarkD]

Poison Dwarf - Rushdie's K might be a sort of fsck you to the Iranians over the captured boarding party fiasco.

[November4]

Reply from James Gray

"As with Gurkha Pun, I was surprised to hear the Government's decision, given his record of service. I have written to the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon John Reid MP, enclosing a copy of your e-mail, seeking his comments on the points you raise.

I will be in touch with his response as soon as I receive it."

Just hope Jacqui Smith opens Reid's post now that he is no longer there.

[eastern wiseguy]

I wrote directly to my MP (Lady Sylvia Hermon UUP) and recieved this reply today.

"Re Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rai (retd) UK Visa

Thank you very much indeed for your email of 17th June outlining your concerns about the difficulties being experienced by Falklands veteran Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rai in obtaining a UK visa.

Let me say straightaway how very grateful I am for the trouble you have taken to bring your particular thoughts on this matter to my attention and I shall certainly ensure your concerns are raised at the very highest level.

With this in mind I have already written to Lord Triesman,the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister with responsibility for the UK VISAS agency,reinforcing the points highlighted in your correspondence.

As soon as I recieve a reply from the Minister,I shall of course write to you again......."




I will keep you posted.

[The Poison Dwarf]

Mark, anything is possible, but surely, no government would stoop to such a petty and childish action - would they???

Never ascribe to deviousness that which can adequately be explained as stupidity.

Nonetheless, Rushdie gets a "K" and L Cpl Rai gets the "Big E", it is still incomprehensibly immoral.

BTW, spoke face to face with my MP yesterday and he is definitely pursuing it - good for him.

[joe2812]

Letter in the post today;

Dear Mr Joe2812

Thank you for your email, which I received on 19 June regarding the treatment of Lance Corporal Gyandera Rai.

I agree with you that Gurkhas deserve respect for their military service and I have written on your behalf to the Home Office. I will contact you again when I receive a response.

If in the meatime, I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Tony Wright MP

[Chugalug2]

Further email sent off to my MP (no pack drill, but majority 37 after 5 recounts!) to emphasise the need to renew efforts on behalf of Mr Rai and to bring his case to the attention of those now responsible for his visa, following Mr Brown's fingers doing all that walking! Pointed out Mr Pun VC is receiving a full Gurkha GoH (brilliant, what a turnaround, well done to all involved!) . I look forward to the honour of joining in his welcome on Wednesday.

[filejw]

Sad as it sounds like the government over here(US).Some bureaucrat was just trying to deport the Mexican wife of an Army KIA.He was also from Mexico.

[threepointonefour]

Don't waste your time with my MP (Grantham & Stamford) - I emailed him 10 days ago and have had no reply.

Unsurprising, when you consider that the 'wet' pompous windbag has been plotting his defection to the other side during this time. Words fail me - he claims the tories lack conviction and principals, that they don't stand for anything anymore, and yet he hasn't the common decency to reply to my polite email. GIT.

Received on House of Commons headed paper today ...

Dear 3.14,

Thank you for your recent email about Gurkha Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rai. I quite agree with you about this. I can think of few more deserving cases when it comes to determining applications for UK residence.

I have written to Laim Byrne at the Home Office to make my point and I very much hope that the Government will have a change of heart.

With all best wishes,

Quentin Davies MP

I humbly apologise for my comments above - perhaps the Rt Hon gentleman's voice will carry more sway now that he's on their side? In this case, I hope so. I look forward to meeting you on Friday night at "The Great Debate"!

[Chugalug2]

Received a reply from my MP with attached letter from "UKvisas, a Joint Directorate of the Home Office & Foreign and Commonwealth Office,- Making Travel and Migration work for Britain" (sic) and signed by Mr Richard Biscoe, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal Desk, Visa Customer Services (sic!):

"Dear Ms MP,
Thank you for your letter of 20 June to Lord Triesman on behalf of your constituent Mr Chugalug2, regarding the refusal of entry clearance to lance Corporal (sic) Gyanendra Rai (Rtd) to settle in the United Kingdom.
I appreciate your constituents concern regarding this case, and the situation facing ex-Gurkha's (sic) in general. Unfortunately, due to our obligations under the Data Protection Act, we are unable to divulge information relating to third parties, such as members of the public, without the signed consent of the applicant.
I am sorry that I cannot give more positive news but hope that this clarifies matters,
Yours sincerely, etc"

Good to know that UKvisas are so scrupulously looking after Mr Rai's interests, while meanwhile "Making Travel and Migration work for Britain"! One supposes they were equally as scrupulous safeguarding those applying to enter "Britain" (is the "UK" becoming a non state now?) to work for the NHS and to further their interests in Jihad. Also interesting to note that I was not enquiring to know the details of Mr Rai's rejection. We all know them. He failed to show evidence of close ties with the UK. He even failed to show close ties to the UK when on active service, fighting for us in the Falklands and being wounded so severely that he nearly died. Mr Biscoe is thus being disingenuous by quoting the DPA, but I suspect that he might see that as a compliment.
Keep piling on the pressure Ladies and Gents. Mr Pun reminded us yesterday that his hope is that all ex-serving Gurkhas be given right of abode here. Personally I think he is not asking for enough. IMHO they should be granted UK citizenship as a quid pro quo for their service, if they so wish.

[tommee_hawk]

Please read on.....

Thanks for a fitting tribute to another of our country's most loyal servants - it really sickens me to see how poorly we've treated the Gurkha regiments over the years.
If you're moved by this link please take the time to visit the link highlighted below and read of the appaling way we've treated another Gurkha hero, Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rai.
The fight to give serving and ex-Ghurka warriors the very minimum they deserve must not stop.
http://www.vchero.co.uk/pb/wp_496a0c...88965124129193

[November4]

Had a reply from James Gray (North Wilts) today. He passed my letter onto the Home Secretary and passed it onto the India, Sri Lanka and Nepal Desk, Visa Customer Services..!

Thank you for your letter on behalf of your constituent, November4, regarding the refusal of entry clearance to Lance Cpl Rai (Rtd) to settle in the United Kingdom.

I appreciate your constituent's concern regarding this case and the situation facing ex-Gurkha's in general. Unfortunately, due to our obligations under the Data Protection Act, we are unable to divulge information relating to individual clearance applications to third parties, such as member of the public, without signed consent of the applicant.

I am sorry I cannot give you more positive news but hope this clarifies matters.

Richard Biscoe

Now can the flying can this clarify the situation when they say they can't tell me anything because of Data Protection?????

James Gray said in his covering letter that he will continue to speak up for Gurkhas and ex-Gurkhas in Parliament

[November4]

Er anyone else notice the similarity between the letter I got and the one Chugalug2 received....?

[OzPax1]

Had a reply from James Gray (North Wilts) today. He passed my letter onto the Home Secretary and passed it onto the India, Sri Lanka and Nepal Desk, Visa Customer Services..!
Quote:
Thank you for your letter on behalf of your constituent, November4, regarding the refusal of entry clearance to Lance Cpl Rai (Rtd) to settle in the United Kingdom.
I appreciate your constituent's concern regarding this case and the situation facing ex-Gurkha's in general. Unfortunately, due to our obligations under the Data Protection Act, we are unable to divulge information relating to individual clearance applications to third parties, such as member of the public, without signed consent of the applicant.
I am sorry I cannot give you more positive news but hope this clarifies matters.
Richard Biscoe
Now can the flying can this clarify the situation when they say they can't tell me anything because of Data Protection?????
James Gray said in his covering letter that he will continue to speak up for Gurkhas and ex-Gurkhas in Parliament

Snap! Looks like a standard form letter. My MP is Claire Short. I'm going to her next surgery about another issue but will bring this issue up. Not that I think she cares much anymore as she is retiring at the end of this parliment.

[Chugalug2]

Mr Richard Biscoe's letters re Gurkha's (sic) & the DPA

This tactic has already been picked up by Messrs Howe, and is mentioned in Kieran's post to Aarse, copied by Tigs2 to us at:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...65&page=17pied

Finally, as regards Gyanendra Rai and this Data Protection Act point, let me have a think of the best way around this point. It may be that we write to them and give them permission to respond to individual points, but that will require Rai's instructions and his signature from Kathmandu (that'll take a while).

Good news at least that some improvement to Gurkha pensions has been announced, but still a long way short of the parity that Mr Pun VC calls for:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6906360.stm

[eastern wiseguy]

I got a similar reply from Lady Sylvia Hermon.HOWEVER she adds (handwritten)

"PS If you have a signed consent form from Lance Corporal Rai ,do please forward it so that I can pursue his case more speedily"

If his lawyers are reading this I am happy to pass ANYTHING on to her.

Regards

EW

[debsh]

Same reply from Alan Beith.
So permission from the lance corpora;l would be a bonus. I have told my good MP that is what I am doing!
Might add a spring to his step.
ANYTHING that can help gratefully received.