by Jo Earle

Nick Clegg paid tribute to Kent Gurkha
campaigners when he visited Maidstone this afternoon.

The Liberal Democrats leader visited Coxheath
Village Hall where he met Gurkha veterans from all over Kent.

It comes after Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith,
recently announced that all Gurkhas who served for four years would
be able to apply to stay in the UK- a change from previous
government policy.

Many of those affected live here in Kent.

Mr Clegg said it was great to celebrate some
good news at a time when there is so much anger and fury over what
has been going on in Westminster and the ongoing crisis with the
British economy.

Video: Liberal Democrat
leader Nick Clegg thanks Gurkha campaigners

He said: "The Gurkha campaign was a Kent born
and bred campaign, it started here. So I wanted to come here and
not only thank the Gurkha community for what they have done but
tireless campaigners like Peter Carroll who really got the camp
going and made sure it enjoyed the support of the whole nation.

"It really did capture the hearts and minds of
the whole nation. I think for that everyone should be very proud
indeed."

Speaking about the Gurkhas, Mr Clegg added:
"They have been so resilient, so determined and so dignified even
though injustice was being done to them."

"We as a commuinity and as a country owe an
eternal moral debt of gratitude to the Gurkhas."