The tribunal hearing the case of a former Gurkha lieutenant claiming racial discrimination against the British Army, has reserved its decision.

Navinkumar Gauchan, 40, from Colchester, Essex, has accused the Ministry of Defence of denying Gurkha soldiers the same rights as their British-born colleagues.

The former lieutenant who served 21 years with the then Queen's Own Gurkha Transport Regiment claims he was the victim of a policy known as "up or out".

Under this policy, an officer who failed to gain promotion was eventually moved out to make way for new recruits

Mr Gauchan has argued this was unfair because it only applied to Nepalese troops.

But senior Army officers have contested the allegations made at an industrial tribunal in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Previously, Colonel Russell Beattie, who was Mr Gauchan's commanding officer, told the tribunal he "totally denied" that his actions were in any way racist or discriminatory.

The tribunal has now agreed to accept final submissions in writing and has reserved its judgment.