MP sorry for Lumley comments

Defence minister Kevan Jones has apologised "unreservedly for any offence caused" when he criticised Gurkha campaigner Joanna Lumley.

Before the actress held a news conference this afternoon responding to his attack on her, Mr Jones said his only concern had been to stop middle-men "ripping off vulnerable ex-Gurkhas" trying to move to the UK.

Mr Jones had told MPs there had been a "deathly silence" from Ms Lumley since her successful campaign to win settlement rights for Gurkhas.

The veterans minister said in a statement: "I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused to Joanna Lumley by my remarks to the Home Affairs Committee - this was not intended.

"I have the greatest of respect for Joanna for the superb work that she has done on Gurkha issues. And I know that the whole nation has immense respect for the bravery and courage shown by the Gurkhas now and in the past.

"I want to put on the record that I accept that Joanna and her campaign did not seek to mislead Gurkhas about the life that they could expect if they relocated to the UK."