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It has been announced that after campaigning on behalf of the Gurkhas, The Times' Briton of the Year has been named as Joanna Lumley.

Ms Lumley succeeded not only getting a change in policy she and her fellow campaigners wanted but left the Government looking clumsy, foolish, leaden-footed and duplicitous.

The sight of her ambushing Phil Woolas, the Immigration Minister, in front of the television cameras and inveigling him into doing a live press conference before he knew what was going on was one of the broadcasting delights of the year, followed closely by the appearance of Gordon Brown all but prostrating himself before her as he capitulated to her demands.

Visiting Nepal, after the campaign victory, she was hailed as a goddess in Kathmandu and had a mountain named after her.

But spare a thought for Shepway Councillor Peter Carroll whose initial campaign catapulted Joanna to her exalted position.

Liberal Democrat Peter had campaigned with others for equal rights for Gurkhas since 2004.

They won significant victories in that time: those Gurkhas retiring since 1997 can now apply for citizenship in this country and receive a fair pension for years service since 1997.

But it was only when Ms Lumley joined their ranks that the Government relented and changed their policy to allow all Gurkha soldiers to settle in the United Kingdom if they wish.

Peter Carroll may not be getting all the accolades, but without his and his supporters campaigning for Gurkha Justice there may not have been the speedy outcome which gave the Gurkhas the victory they deserved.