On Thursday in London, the British government announced a change in policy that will allow Nepalese Gurkhas, who have been recruited to serve in the British Army for almost 200 years, to settle in Britain after they retire. The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, made the announcement in Parliament while a group of Gurkha activists, led by their celebrity champion — Joanna Lumley, the actress who starred in “Absolutely Fabulous” — gathered outside the House of Commons and listened by walkie-talkie. 

It is a day of celebration tinged with sadness for the family of Ram Bahadur Gurung.

For today's victory for the Gurkhas comes too late for the hero who dedicated his life to serving this country.

Ram Bahadur Gurung, 62, died last month of a brain tumour.

The rifleman, who served in the Gurkhas for 16 years and once guarded the Queen, had fought for three years to remain in this country.

On his deathbed, he was finally granted permission to stay under exceptional circumstances.

But in a bitter irony, the father of two never recovered consciousness to learn of the Home Office decision after having a stroke days earlier.

Only hours after his death, the Government suffered a humiliating defeat in the Commons forcing ministers to rethink rules on the settlement of former Gurkha soldiers.

His heartbroken wife Sangiat, 54, and daughters Sabina, 20 and Selina, 11, who live in Nepal, never had to chance to say goodbye as they were barred from entering the country.

But today his family are to arrive here for the first time after being given permission to remain in Britain.

They are flying to Heathrow for Mr Gurung's funeral, which is due to take place tomorrow.

A COUNTY councillor has attacked two local MPS after they voted against giving all Gurkhas full residential rights in the UK.

Liberal Democrat Tommy Taylor from Coundon says everyone he has spoken to in Wear Valley, including many ex-servicemen, is in favour of allowing Nepalese soldiers enlisted into the British Army to stay in the UK.

Current Government legislation means only those soldiers who served in the army after 1997 can stay in the UK but at a vote in the House Of Commons last week the majority of MPs, including 27 from the Labour camp, supported a Lib Dem motion to allow all ex-serving Gurkhas residency rights.