Sir, – The Government’s defeat in the House of Commons vote on the right of Gurkhas who have fought for Britain to settle here is wonderful news.

Conservative, Liberal Democrat and some rebel Labour MPs joined together to defeat the Government on this important vote.

However, I was extremely disappointed to see that none of Teesside’s MPs voted in support of the Gurkhas.

To give these men and their families the right to live and work here as a sign of thanks for putting their lives on the line is the very least Britain should do.

Labour’s failed immigration and asylum system has certainly allowed far less deserving individuals into the country.

Now that Parliament and the country has spoken, I urge our MPs to not let the Government off the hook. They must put pressure on Ministers to come up with revised proposals that will deliver justice for the Gurkhas.

PAUL BRISTOW Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.