A former British Army Gurkha is appearing before an industrial tribunal accusing the Ministry of Defence of race discrimination.

The ex-soldier says that during his 15 years of service his pay and conditions were inferior to British soldiers and he is now claiming compensation.

The Nepalese Gurkhas form one of the British Army's best known regiments.

Pay changes

Although they serve alongside British soldiers, their pay, conditions and pensions were significantly worse until changes were made in 1997.

Former Lance Corporal Hari Thapa, who now lives as a security guard in Cwmbran in South Wales, retired from the regiment two years ago.

For much of his time in the army he had been earning a basic wage of just �17.50 a month.

Compensation claims

His case has the backing of the Commission for Racial Equality.

An industrial tribunal, starting in Cardiff on Monday, will be asked to decide whether race discrimination laws apply to Gurkha cases before 1997.

If it decides that they do, Hari Thapa will have taken a step forward in a legal battle which could ultimately open the way for him and many other ex-Gurkhas to make claims for compensation.