UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK’s agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was blocked after a court order following a legal challenge from a Diego Garcia resident.
As reported by The Guardian, the British government’s deal to cede the Chagos Islands was stopped by a High Court in the early hours of Thursday.
Number 10 softened its stance on publishing the deal, despite concerns over potential political backlash as the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had planned to join an online ceremony with Mauritian officials to formalise the disputed Chagos Islands agreement.
What prompted legal action against the UK’s Chagos agreement?
A court order issued by Justice Goose in the early hours of Thursday offered interim relief to Bertrice Pompe in her case against the Foreign Office.
Pompe, a native of Diego Garcia, has filed a legal challenge against the UK’s deal to hand over the Chagos Islands.
What did Justice Goose rule about the Chagos Islands deal?
According to Mr Justice Goose’s ruling,
“Pending the final determination of the claim or until further order, a stay of action by the defendant is imposed that:
“a. Defendant shall take no conclusive or legally binding step to conclude its negotiations concerning the possible transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory (also known as the Chagos Archipelago) to a foreign government or bind itself as to the particular terms of any such transfer.”
“b. The Defendant shall, in particular, not dispose of the territory in whole or in part. The Defendant is to maintain the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom over the British Indian Ocean Territory until further Order.”
He ruled the case will return to the High Court at 10:30 am Thursday, with both Ms Pompe and the Foreign Office expected to attend.
What did the government say about the Chagos Islands deal?
A Government spokesman stated,
“We do not comment on ongoing legal cases. This deal is the right thing to protect the British people and our national security.”
What did Mauritius officials say about the last-minute court intervention?
Mauritius described the 11th-hour intervention as a surprise and said it was considering the developments early Thursday.
A senior official in Mauritius said,
“We have not received any court order, but we heard about a hearing which could lead to a court order.”
They added,
“We are assessing the situation and waiting for feedback from London.”
How did Downing Street react to concerns over the Chagos agreement?
According to Downing Street, Donald Trump gave his backing to the deal after meeting Keir Starmer in February at the White House, telling officials he had “a feeling it’s going to work out very well.”
Officials and Labour members have criticized the costly deal amid economic constraints.
Number 10 is reported to have been concerned about backlash over the agreement, given widespread anger over cuts to winter fuel payments and disability benefits.
What did David Lammy say about the deal and its legal implications?
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, endorsed the October deal, insisting that a court ruling against the UK was inevitable.
He described the agreement as clear evidence of the UK’s commitment to upholding international law.
What did the UK-Mauritius deal mean for Diego Garcia?
The agreement hands control of the islands to Mauritius, while Britain retains a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia to continue operating the shared US-UK military facility. Ministers have refused to disclose the lease cost, but sources estimate it at around £90 million annually.
UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands deal
- UK to return Chagos to Mauritius (Oct 2024).
- Diego Garcia stays under UK control for 99 years.
- Chagossians were allowed to resettle, but not Diego Garcia.
- Mauritius to manage marine protected areas.
- UK provides financial aid; concerns over Chinese influence.