UK set to also welcome Gurkha widows'

London, June 12 (ANI): Widows' of dead Gurkha soldiers are all set to be welcomed into Britain on the orders of new Home Secretary Alan Johnson, The Sun can reveal.

Johnson decided to overturn predecessor Jacqui Smith's decision after discovering that 95 widows - most in their 70s - were to be barred.

A Whitehall source said: "Alan was horrified and decided it was not the way to treat them."

Gurkha supporters, led by TV star Joanna Lumley, last night declared the U-turn as "fantastic".

Leader Martin Howe said: "We are delighted the new Home Secretary has taken a proper and honourable look at the cases of these deserving widows of men who have served our country. It is fantastic news that they, too, are to be properly treated."

The Sun led the campaign to give Gurkha veterans the right to live in Britain.

Premier Gordon Brown relented last month in a landmark ruling. (ANI)