Gurkhas lose appeal battle over pensions

A test case which would have affected about 25,000 veterans who retired before July 1 1997 was dismissed at the High Court earlier this year.

The British Gurkha Welfare Society then took its case on to the Court of Appeal.

Veterans had asked three judges to rule that the Government is acting unlawfully in paying them a third of the income of veterans who retired after the cut-off date and who have parity with UK soldiers. Their challenge was brought on human rights and discrimination laws.

The judges, sitting in London, yesterday rejected their appeal.

Afterwards the Gurkhas vowed to carry on with their fight.

The Ministry of Defence said the pension cut-off date was "justified and proportionate" and not discriminatory.

It said that over the course of a retirement "these Gurkha soldiers will receive at least the same amount of pension as their British counterparts".

Retired Major Tikendra Dal Dewan, chairman of the society, said: "We are very disappointed with the court's judgment and will be conferring with our legal team over the coming days to discuss taking our case to the European courts."