Chagos Islanders have warned that Labour could abandon British Overseas Territories (BOT) at any moment, as they staged a protest over Labour’s decision to relinquish sovereignty to Mauritius.
Labour today defended its decision to hand over the Islands to Mauritius in parliament today, despite receiving backlash for the move.
Chagossians protested in Hackney, east London, on Tuesday, against the Government’s deal. Several of those against the deal believe it could lead to the Labour government handing over other territories.
Misley Mandarin, from the British Indian Ocean Territory Citizens, has been openly critical about the government’s decision.
He told The Telegraph: “If the Labour Government did this without going to the Parliament, without self-determination, they could do that to any British territory. There is no trusting them.”
Mr Mandarian added: “We have a voice, don’t suffocate our voice.”
The Chagos Islands were discussed in Parliament today
Flickr
In the House of Commons today, Foreign Office Minister, Stephen Doughty, defended the decision the government made.
He said: “This government secured a deal that would protect the secure operation of the UK/US base on Diego Garcia.
“This agreement has been welcomed by all parts of the US system.
“We’ve secured a deal that protects our national interests, respects the interests of our partners and upholds the international rule of law.”
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Foreign Office Minster, Stephen Doughty, defending the decision made by the government
PA
Reform UK Leader, Nigel Farage, spoke in the commons and was openly critical of the deal.
Mr Farage said: “There is outright hostility to this deal. As we saw with Hong Kong, these agreements can easily be broken.
“There is no legal reason why we have to do any of this.
“I warned the foreign secretary 6 weeks, that it was an enormous mistake to do this given that we had a US Presidental Election coming up.”
Nigel Farage speaking in favour of canceling the deal made by Labour
PA
The MP for Clacton explained how much weight the islands hold.
“Diego Garcia was described to me by a senior Trump advisor, as the most important island on the planet.
“They do not wish to live under Mauritian live. They want to live under British rule.”