South's Gurkhas lose appeal for equal pension rights

They have the reputation of being the most determined, fierce fighters. But today former Gurkha soldiers based in Kent and Sussex have been forced to accept defeat - over their pension rights.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Government acted within its rights by denying Gurkhas who served before 1997 a full British Army pension.

As Sarah Saunders now reports, the decision has been greeted with dismay by campaigners who believe Gurkhas who have loyally fought for British queen and country have been badly betrayed.

She spoke to former Gurkha Bhimraj Tumbahangphe, Gurkha rights campaigner Peter Carroll and South East MEP Anneliese Dodds.

They have the reputation of being the most determined of fighters.

But today former Gurkha soldiers based in the South have been forced to accept defeat - over their pension rights.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Government acted within its rights by denying Gurkhas who served before 1997 a full British Army pension.

At the moment, only Gurkha soldiers who retired AFTER July 1997 are eligible for the same pension as other former Army personnel.

Those who left the service before, receive around a third of the pension which can leave many - including those living in places like Aldershot in Hampshire - on the poverty line. Mel Bloor reports.

Mel spoke to Gurkha veteran Gyanraj Rai from Reading and campaigner Peter Carroll.

Former Gurkhas living across the Meridian region have lost their appeal for equal pension rights.

The British Gurkha Welfare Society brought the case against the British government at the European Court of Human Rights.

They argued that all former Gurkhas, irrespective of their age, should be entitled to pension rights equal to any former servicemen and women from the British army.

At the moment, only Gurkha soldiers who served AFTER July 1st 1997 are eligible for equal pension rights.

It meant older Gurkhas have had much inferior pensions, with many saying they are living in poverty.

There are large Gurkha communities in Kent, Hampshire and Berkshire, and the ruling has repercussions for hundreds of families.

But the Court ruled today that the British Government HAD acted lawfully.

The Gurkhas have fought a long campaign to give them greater pension rights- watch our report from 2014 when campaigners say they were let down by Parliament.