Gurkha, 87, who won the VC returns war medals to Downing Street after being refused f

[Snowden]

Gurkha, 87, who won the VC returns war medals to Downing Street after being refused free hospital care



By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:46 PM on 25th June 2008



A Gurkha awarded the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy was at the forefront of a demonstration today to promote the rights of more than 2,000 of the soldiers to stay in Britain.

Tul Bahadur Pun VC, 87, a Second World War veteran who is now in a wheelchair, delivered a boardful of medals, including an MBE, to Downing Street in protest over the treatment of Gurkha soldiers.

A London hospital refused to treat him for his heart condition, claiming he owed thousands of pounds in unpaid medical bills.

Disgust: Gurkha Regimental Sergeant Major Pun Tulbahadur returns his medals to Downing Street

He was told he had no right to free care by a revenue enforcer at West Middlesex University Hospital.

Mr Pun, one of just 10 living VC holders in the UK, was close to tears and forced to leave after being told he also owed thousands of pounds because he had 'misled' the hospital over his immigration status.

The Gurkha, who lives on just £135 a week, was ejected this week on the anniversary of winning his VC in Burma on June 23 1944.

He had attended the Isleworth hospital's cardiology department for an urgent follow-up appointment and has been on lifesaving heart drugs for 10 months.

The VC war hero (at front of picture) was refused heart treatment at West Middlesex University Hospital

But Andy Finlay, its income generation manager, demanded to see Mr Pun's passport and said his visa showed he had indefinite leave to enter Britain, not indefinite leave to remain - meaning he was ineligible for NHS treatment.

He allegedly then threatened Mr Pun, who does not speak English and had a friend acting as interpreter, with a bill for past treatment.

Mr Pun's lawyer, Kieran O'Rourke, said: '(Mr Finlay) then made the serious allegation that Mr Pun had "misled" the hospital previously in relation to his immigration status.

'Mr Finlay told Mr Pun he would have to pay back the NHS. He was shocked and extremely upset.'

Mr Pun said: 'I could not sleep worrying about having to pay thousands of pounds for treatment I have already had. I have not misled anyone - the British Government allows me to live here.'

Protest: Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg (second from left) joins Regimental Sergeant Major Pun outside Downing Street

The West Middlesex University Hospital has admitted it 'made a mistake' and promised Mr Pun a fresh appointment.

A spokesman said: 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused.'


Today, as the Gurkhas marched on Downing Street, Mr Pun was accompanied by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, who is backing the campaign to allow soldiers who retired before 1997 the right to settle in Britain after completing their Army service.

Mr Pun was originally refused entrance to the UK by British officials in Nepal as it was claimed he did not have strong enough ties with the UK.

In June last year, the decision was overthrown by Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, and he now lives in a home in Hounslow, west London.

Mr Clegg said: 'We as a country have a duty towards these very, very brave Gurkha veterans, who have fought, have been injured and have risked their lives for this country and who retired before 1997 and scandalously, in my view, are not being granted citizenship by this Government.

'I have raised this on several occasions over the last few months with Gordon Brown and he won't even receive this demonstration from these very dignified veterans.

'I think if someone risks their life for this country, they deserve to live in this country.'

The protest was joined by a number of Gurkhas, many of them holding up pictures of the Victoria Cross with the slogan Retired Gurkhas Let Us Live Here and 13 Victoria Crosses.

Current serving Gurkhas are almost automatically entitled to live in the UK after completing their Army service.

But Gurkhas who retired before 1997 have to rely on the discretion of a British entry clearance officer to determine whether they should be allowed to live in the UK.

A test case will be heard next month of the appeal of 14 soldiers and their families which could decide whether a further 2,000 Gurkhas can stay in the UK.



Gurkha, 87, who won the VC returns war medals to Downing Street after being refused free hospital care | Mail Online

[Woodmonkey]

If I understand it correctly, they allow immigrants who've done nothing for the UK to get free health care. Why not this man who fought for them?

[Snowden]

That's what hit me too, Katie. This man risked his life for the country and is treated like trash. Trash comes in from other countries and gets the red carpet treatment.

Makes no sense. It really hurts my opinion of England. The Gurkhas are some of their most valiant fighters, and about the most fierce they could have on their side in battle. Those men should be treated with as much respect and appreciation for their duty as one assumes their native veterans are.

[Woodmonkey]

There's probably some petty beaurocratic rule.