Joanna Lumley has spoken about her decision to support the cause of an ex-Gurkha who was denied access to the UK for medical treatment.

The actress argued that Tul Bahadar Pun should be supported by the government because of his efforts fighting for the British in Burma during the Second World War.

"In one particular skirmish fighting with the Japanese, two VC's [Victoria Crosses] were awarded - one to this tremendous Gurkha, Tul Bahadar Pun," Lumley told Parkinson. "I knew his face and name since I was six and could see his handsome face in the photograph and dad said: 'This is a great bloke, Tul Bahadar Pun'.

"Wind the clock forward maybe 50 or 60 years and suddenly Tul Bahadar Pun VC who is still alive and living in Nepal became very frail and his condition became weaker and weaker and he couldn't get the medical condition he needed out in Nepal. He wondered if he could come and be domiciled in this country, live here and have the health care that he needed.

"And our government for some unbelievable reason said: 'He hasn't shown enough commitment to Britain' or something - he had won a VC fighting alongside and fighting for our Army! I don't know what more you can do, he was prepared to lay down his life for our country. Then there was a great deal of crashing and banging and suddenly they said: 'Oh sorry what we meant was he can come in' so he did come in. Thank goodness."

Asked whether she believed politicians have become careless, Joanna replied: "I think they do, yes."

Parkinson airs at 10.20pm tonight on ITV1.