THE deaths of four of our soldiers in Afghanistan last Thursday was the bloodiest day of this year for the British Armed Forces. Eighteen Afghan civilians also died during these incidents.

One of the soldiers killed was 31-year-old Corporal Kumar Pun, who was serving with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles. The son of a former Gurkha soldier, he was married with two children.

The loss of this soldier has given poignancy to the recent successful Commons motion which sought settlement rights for all former Gurkha soldiers and their families. Part of the motion read “that more Gurkhas have laid down their lives for the United Kingdom than are estimated to want to live here”.

Under current rules, Cpl Pun’s wife, Parbati, and her two young children would have no automatic right to remain in the country and would have to apply for new residency visas.

I am glad that the UK immigration authorities have moved swiftly to confirm that the family will be able to remain should they wish.

The loss of a husband and father is a tragedy in any circumstances, but for this grief to be compounded by the current status quo is quite simply immoral.

Ian Sadler, Darlington.

I WAS sickened when I heard the words “deport” and “Gurkha” in the same sentence last week. I have hardline views on immigration, but I think some leniency must be shown to the Gurkhas due to their loyalty and friendship to Britain over many years.

The Gurkhas I see around Darlington (who are based at Catterick Garrison) are immaculate in appearance and manners. I once helped a Gurkha who was lost about a mile from where he needed to be in town and every time he addressed me it was as “Sir”.

I also had an ex-Gurkha friend supporting me in an article in The Northern Echo when I stood for election as a British National Party candidate.

I do have some concerns, though. The British Army now has massive amounts of foreign soldiers who will undoubtedly only be joining for the money and as a route into the country.

This differs from the Gurkhas’ plight and must be treated differently.

I believe Britain owes it to the Gurkhas to eliminate poverty in their native Nepal. This could be done by targeting British overseas aid into this friendly country and withdrawing it from countries which are supposed to be now independent of Britain.

British companies wanting to open an Asian division should be encouraged to set up in Nepal.

Trevor Agnew, Darlington.

PERHAPS JM Gowland (HAS, May 11) should have done some research before asking the questions: “How on earth did Joanna Lumley at the age of 63 become involved with the Gurkhas?” and “Is she short of money and has a good agent trying to bring her back into the limelight?”

Her father served for 30 years with the 6th Gurkha Rifles and he admired them tremendously.

To even suggest that she just seeks publicity for her career is frankly revolting.

Indeed, Ms Lumley is a supporter of many charities (whether in the media spotlight, or not), including those dealing with mental health, animal and human rights. She is patron of the Born Free Foundation (and has been since its inception) and is passionate about both the Free Tibet campaign and Burma Campaign UK.

On one point, Mr Gowland is quite right; the Gurkha campaign is a just one and Ms Lumley is simply supporting another cause she passionately believes in.

How sad Darlington MP Alan Milburn doesn’t feel the same.

He voted with the Government on this issue, and it lost. Loyalty at all costs, eh, Mr Milburn?

Never mind morality. At least we have people like Ms Lumley.

Gavin Hay, Darlington.

WE have heard all the excuses from this Government about why all Gurkhas should not have UK citizenship; it would cost too much money is the main reason.

Yet it beggars belief when revelations about MPs’ expenses show that the taxpayer has been propping up their luxury lifestyles – how two-faced can you get?

The Gurkhas’ loyalty towards Queen and country has never been in doubt, yet even our own MP could not support their cause.

At a time when thousands of people have lost their jobs and families have lost their homes, there seems to be no credit crunch difficulties if you are an MP.

When we have situations like these two very important examples affecting people’s lives, how can we put our trust in the people governing this country?

Gordon Brown must call a General Election immediately and let the honest citizens of this country choose whether he and his Government are fit to lead this country, or whether it is time for change.

Councillor Sam Zair, Liberal Democrat, Bishop Auckland Town Division, Durham County Council.