UK Halts Chagos Islands Treaty with Mauritius

# UK Halts Chagos Islands Sovereignty Treaty with Mauritius The UK government stated that a treaty over ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has become impossible to agree at the political level. Stephen Doughty stated that the corresponding bill will not complete its passage through parliament.

Doughty confirmed to Parliament that a finalised text was agreed at official level before the shift in position.

Stephen Doughty stated that the Diego Garcia Bill cannot complete its passage in this parliamentary session. He added that the Diego Garcia Bill cannot be carried over due to its advanced progression through Parliament. The agreement with Mauritius was initially negotiated in close coordination with the US.

US Position Change Cited as Key Factor Stephen Doughty stated that Donald Trump’s position appears to have changed.

Donald Trump initially described the treaty as very strong and powerful. In March, Trump called the Chagos deal a very woke thing. Stephen Doughty stated that updating the 1966 UK-US agreement, which concerns the availability of British Indian Ocean territories, was necessary to ratify the treaty.

There is a 1966 UK-US agreement concerning the availability of British Indian Ocean territories.

Government Regrets Chagossian Removal and Notes Resettlement Plans Stephen Doughty stated that the Government deeply regrets the manner of the removal of the Chagossians from the islands.

He stated that Mauritius has plans to resettle the Chagossian people. Doughty stated that the delay to the treaty will be sad news to many Chagossians, although not all, who see it as the only viable means of a sustainable programme of resettlement which Mauritius would be able to implement under its terms.

Opposition Reactions to Treaty Halt Priti Patel stated that the surrender treaty is Labour’s mess.

Patel stated that the Government put one of our most important defence and security assets at risk, compromised the special relationship with the United States, ignored and betrayed the wishes of the Chagossian community, and were prepared to hand over £35 billion of taxpayers’ money to lease back a land that we own.

Danny Kruger stated that he welcomes the Government's withdrawal of the bill. Kruger asked if the Government will commit that if there is to be any future constitutional change to the status of the islands, the Chagossian community here in the UK will be given the chance to express its view through a referendum of that community.

Kruger asked why the Government will not recognise that they have a right of abode there and why the Government are frustrating the very legitimate efforts of philanthropists to support them to re-establish their community, regarding Adam Holloway's attempt to travel to the Chagos Islands as part of an aid mission intercepted by British Border officials.

Response to Chagos Aid Mission Attempt Stephen Doughty stated that he was shocked Reform UK supported what he described as a reckless political stunt.

Adam Holloway stated to GB News that the Government did not give permission for him to get on the boat in the Maldives to go on the voyage to the Chagos Islands. Holloway stated that he is the person who has lived on the islands with the settler party and knows them best, making him the best person to assess their welfare.