It's time to do the right thing for the Gurkhas, says Elwyn Watkins

3.41.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th May 2009

Following a week of "political farce" for the Government which saw Home Office Minister and Oldham MP Phil Woolas handing out further concessions to the Gurkhas on the hoof, Liberal Democrat campaigner Elwyn Watkins is calling on Gordon Brown to now do the right thing.

Under pressure from actress and Gurkha champion Joanna Lumley, Oldham MP Phil Woolas' lamentable performance showed just how out of touch he is with public opinion, say the Lib Dems.

Mr Watkins, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Oldham East & Saddleworth, said the latest row over letters sent out by the Home Office to five Gurkhas refusing them residency was a "betrayal".

Elwyn Watkins said: "It is astonishing that the Home Office sends out rejection letters to decorated Gurkha heroes of the Falklands the day after the Prime Minister says that he is taking personal charge of the issue.

"At worst, this is a betrayal and at best it is a monumental shambles where one arm of Government does not know what the other is doing.

"How long will it take the Prime Minister to understand the moral principle backed by the public and the Commons, namely that if you are good enough to fight and die for this country, then you are good enough to live in it.

"This Government has now lost its moral authority. From the first moment Nick Clegg challenged Gordon Brown on this over a year ago, he didn't understand that there was a simple moral principle at stake.

"This highlights that not only is Gordon Brown's political radar out of touch with public feeling but many of his ministerial team, including Phil Woolas MP, are losing their grip and running out of steam."