MPs go into battle for Gurkhas
Updated on 29 April 2009
Labour rebels support a bid by the Liberal Democrats to allow Gurkhas residence rights, delivering the biggest defeat for Gordon Brown since he became prime minister. Gary Gibbon reports.
Controversial new settlement plans have been overturned with a majority of 21 votes in what is a shock Commons defeat for the government.
Outside parliament there were jubilant scenes as the Conservative leader David Cameron joined the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and the actress Joanna Lumley in a rare show of unity, claiming justice for the Gurkhas and betrayal by the government.
