The One That Can Spell Betrayal. . .

Poor old Joanna Lumley, she stated yesterday that she trusted Gordon Brown following their meeting about the Gurkhas.

She's learned that lesson then.

At around 2:20 this afternoon, the Sky News ticker was promoting a press conference from the Gurkha representatives that was going to be detailing 'shocking and disturbing revelations' at 4pm.

4pm comes and it transpires that the five Gurkhas acting as test cases had been refused leave to remain in the UK. The shit was going to hit the fan.

4:10pm comes and Sky News reveals that Immigration Minister, Phil 'Custard Pie' Woolas was in an emergency meeting with Lumley. I can only imagine the meeting was going thus:

Woolas: You are one of our country's most loved actresses, representing a group of people that hold a reverential position in the nation's collective heart. Everyone hates us, please don't go and do a hatchet job on us.

Lumley: Then why piss on them, when you expressly told me you wouldn't?

Woolas: We just can't help it, it is second nature, we say we'll do one thing, you can be sure we'll go and do the exact opposite. It's crazy isn't it?

Lumley: Well what are you going to do about it?

Woolas: Resign.

Lumley: Really?

Woolas: No, I always do the opposite of what I say.

The thing is, we've a government that will piss money away on anything. Anything, and upset hundreds of thousands of people. They won't spend money on what we support.

Here's Snowolf's test for ex-Gurkhas wanting to settle in the UK:

1. Is the individual a serving or ex-member of the Gurkha regiment?

2. That's it.

Fucking simple, isn't it?

UPDATE

Well, Joanna and her team very politely tore the government a new arsehole.

There'll be nokias flying around Number 10 this afternoon, as it appears that Broon didn't know about the rejection letters (which Woolas tried to argue weren't rejections. Well if they weren't granted, what are they?) when he met Lumley. Woolas has been made to look very foolish, and the whole thing could have been very easily solved by letting the Gurkhas stay in the UK. Public support is almost unanimous. Jusy bloody do it.

Jesus, why does this government have to make such a meal of everything?

The One That Is Deeply, Deeply Ashamed. . .

This is Colour Sergeant Dura from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles. He died on active service in the 'stan on November 15th.

I've blogged a couple of times about the Gurkhas and the boundless respect and admiration I have for them having encountered serving and former soldiers on an almost daily basis. If the population of this country could absorb the qualities of these dignified men then we'd be in much better shape.

The story has been covered all over the blogosphere, with Obo, DK, The Refuser and countless others. The Real Machiavelli puts it very well indeed, the crux being:

C. Sgt Dura, 36, leaves two daughters and a wife. He had served in the British Army since 1992.

But the purpose of this article is not to recount his years of selfless service, nor to sing the praises of his heroism in Afghanistan. It is to draw attention to the most appallingly callous, bureaucratically pig-headed mindset Machiavelli has so far encountered. Because the Home Office is currently threatening to deport the wife and two little children of C. Sgt Dura.

Machiavelli is disgusted to learn that this Government thinks so little of C. Sgt Dura's sacrifice that their first instinct is to weild the full weight of the immigration system against his wife and children.

Colour Sergeant Dura lived in Canterbury, my home town. The Regiment are based at Shorncliffe, only about 15 miles from Canterbury and there are many Gurkhas in the town. My MP, Julian Brazier has spoken out about this, but for all the good it will do I'll be dropping him a line to give him my thoughts on this peverse and offensive situation.

Offensive, like 'hero' are words that are banded about with all too much regularity these days here they are used in their proper sense. It makes me deeply, deeply ashamed of my country.

The One That Doesn't Ask For Much, But Does Ask For This. . .

A collection of complete heroes, earlier today.

I blogged a little while ago about the High Court victory for the Gurkhas. As we know a court victory doesn't actually mean anything when it is against the government, they will delay, dissemble and generally ignore what they are told. People like Tom Harris aren't really interested in what the electorate have to say, so you can bet your bottom that they couldn't give two hoots about judges. Judges are there to punish the little people for not obeying their laws.

I digress.

The Gurkhas have been out on the streets of Folkestone this weekend (they are based at nearby Shorncliffe Barracks) to get signatures on their petition to give full settlement rights to former Gurkhas. Given the fact that British passports are handed out like golf sale fliers to any who demand it, I think it is the least we can do for people who join up to defend our country and conduct themselves with the utmost dignity, honour and humility. There are very few people who get my unqualified respect, but anyone who wears the uniform of the Gurkha regiment has mine without a second of hesitation.

I don't ask for much from my readers, but I would ask that you sign the petition in support of these thoroughly decent individuals here.

Many thanks.

The One That Says 'About Bloody Time Too. . .'

Sometimes, just somtimes, the establishment gets things right. Too often I moan that the courts uphold the 'rights' of the scummiest little turds in direct opposition to the Rights (note capital letter) and interests of the majority.

Today however, they got it right.

A group of retired Gurkhas have won their test case to earn the right to live in the UK.

There are nine living holders of the VC, and three of them are Gurkhas. Does anything more need to be said about the calibre of these people? Of course I will say a little more, the fact that they have fought this battle, as they fight all battles, with dignity, honour and not a peep of a whinge just goes to reinforce this. For them to serve this country, to be one of the finest body of men in the world and then to be ignored by this country is nothing short of a disgrace. I hope the Home Office is suitably shame-faced and will not appeal the case.

They will appeal it, of course, because senior civil servants and politicians hate nothing more than a loss of face. So they'll drag it out in the hope that a few more pop their clogs during the wait.

Meanwhile British passports will be handed out like golf sale flyers to any Albanian gangster who cares to extort, murder and pimp his way around our green and pleasant land.
The Refuser makes some interesting comments on a not unrelated point.