Troops should not pay to stay

THE Windrush scandal provided proof of the Tory Government’s repulsive attitude towards immigrants to Britain.

Theresa May’s hostile environment policy was a deliberately calculated strategy designed to spread human misery.

Now a new example of mistreatment has emerged in the military.

It’s disgusting that troops in Scots units from Commonwealth countries are being ordered to pay £5000 to stay in the UK with their partners after serving.

Labour MP Paul Sweeney is to be lauded for taking up the cudgels on their behalf.

In fairness, the immigration status of soldiers from overseas who sign up for the British Armed Forces has been a long-running bone of contention.

Labour, under Gordon Brown, famously had to be shamed into changing the rules to allow the Gurkhas the right to settle in the UK after their service.

It’s inconceivable why anyone would want to place obstacles to citizenship in front of those who have served this nation bravely.

There is a long tradition of soldiers being recruited from across the Commonwealth and other former colonies to serve in the British Armed Forces.

It is something the country should be proud of – and grateful for.

These soldiers risk their life for this country. They are as British as anyone else on the battlefield.

It is nothing short of obscene that they are being asked to pay extortionate amounts just to live here with their families.