Gurkha calls off hunger strike as MPs agree to look into pension rights
A retired Gurkha ended his 14-day hunger strike after MPs agreed to hold a parliamentary enquiry into their pension, benefit and health care entitlements.
Gyanraj Rai, a 55-year-old veteran has threatened to starve himself to death in a battle for improved rights. Earlier this week 1,000 ex-Gurkhas marched down Whitehall to highlight their cause.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the cross-party commission set up to investigate the concerns has his "blessing." Paul Davies reports.
Nepalese fighters have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and were given settlement rights in Britain following a high profile campaign in 2009.
They say the government is discriminating against them by paying them a much lower pension than other members of the British Army.
One Gurkha demonstrating in Westminster earlier this week told ITV London they were only campaigning for what they deserve.
As the inquiry was announced, Mr Rai broke his hunger strike by drinking a glass of fruit juice and was presented with a box of fruit by Joanna Lumley. She told the crowd:
Martin Howe, solicitor and joint founder of the Gurkha Justice Campaign, said: