You would think that putting your life at risk to fight for the UK’s armed forces would be proof enough of a person’s devotion to Queen and Country, particularly if the person in question was born overseas.

Not according to the Home Office, which argued in the High Court this week that five Gurkha veterans do not have “strong ties” to the UK and therefore have no right to settle here.

Loyalty and courage don’t count, argued the Home Office lawyer. Even if a Gurkha had won the Victoria Cross he wouldn’t be allowed into Britain.

Yet if the Gurkhas converted to Islam, entered Britain illegally, claimed benefits, preached that women are inferior and that homosexuals and unbelievers should be murdered and persuaded impressionable young people to blow themselves up on the Tube – they’d be welcomed with open arms.

Isn’t it just possible the government has got its priorities entirely the wrong way around?