BACK GURKHAS NOW - LIB DEMS TELL ANN COFFEY

6.44.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th May 2009

The Gurkha memorial in London

Liberal Democrats are calling on Stockport's Labour MP to support the Gurkhas after she voted against proposals to allow those who had put their life on the line and fought for Britain to remain in the UK.

Leading the call is Stuart Bodsworth Lib Dem PPC for Stockport who has written to Ann Coffey to say how disappointed he is that the Labour MPs for the area voted to back the Government's policy of deporting Gurkhas.

On 29 April the House of Commons voted on a Liberal Democrat motion in support of allowing Gurkhas who have fought for Britain to stay in the country they risked their lives to protect.

The vote resulted in a shock defeat for the Government. But ultra-loyal Ann Coffey, PPS to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, sided with the losing side despite overwhelming popular support for the Gurkhas.

"I was greatly disappointed that Ann Coffey voted for Gurkhas to be rewarded for their service to this country by being deported from the UK," said Stuart Bodsworth. "Her blind loyalty to this failed government is disgraceful. Thankfully a few brave Labour MP defied their party bosses to support the Lib Dem motion and the Government got the defeat they deserved.

"The Government has a moral duty to support those who have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and fight for our country. I am sorry that Ann Coffey voted the opposite way.

"Now the Government must take notice of the will of Parliament. I have written to Ann Coffey urging her to think again and press ministers to bring forward new proposals as soon as possible that will allow Gurkhas to stay."

ENDS.