Actress Joanna Lumley is "sickened" by the new rules for Gurkha soldiers settling in the UK.

The Government claims around 4,000 out of a total of 36,000 who served in the armed forces prior to July 1997 will be allowed to settle as a result of the new criteria, revealed on Friday.

But the announcement has been met with widespread disappointment and Miss Lumley, whose late father served as an officer with the Gurkhas, said the number to benefit would be "barely 100".

She said: "It's the worst result. I never thought it would be so insulting or divisive.

"My father would have been so shocked and ashamed. We long to be proud of our country but this makes me feel sick to my core.

"The Government is claiming success but we know there are barely 100 Gurkhas who would be able to stay as a result of this."

The announcement followed a High Court decision in September that having different rules for those who retired before 1997 was unlawful.

But a series of stipulations has been set out. These include living in the UK for at least three years and having 20 years' service.

~ Read the full list of conditions here >>>

Other campaigners have hit out at the new rules. They wanted residency rights for all ex-Gurkha soldiers.

Shepway councillor Lynne Beaumont, who has been heavily involved in the campaign, said: "You are only talking about a double-decker bus full of people, that's it.

"How can anybody ever believe the Government again? How can they do this to people who have served with such distinction?

"No minister even bothered to make an official announcement, the details were just put up on a noticeboard at the House of Commons."

Phil Woolas, the Border and Immigration Minister, said: "This guidance honours the service, commitment and gallantry of those who served with the Gurkhas brigade."

Speaking before the announcement, campaigner Peter Carroll told reporter Jo Sword why he thinks Gurkhas who served after 1997 should be treated in the same way as those who served before. Click on this link for more>>>

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