'They just don't like it!' Keir Starmer blasted by Chagos lawyer after swipe at 'self-appointed' Chagossian Government

Georgia Pearce
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:51:07 +0000

A barrister representing several Chagossians has accused the Labour Government of finding it "terribly convenient" to disregard the wishes of the community regarding their future.

James Tumbridge, a partner at Keystone Law, told GB News their approach "demonstrates yet again that this Labour Government doesn't care about the voices of people they said in their manifesto".

Sir Keir Starmer has shelved the "surrender" of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after a Bill to give the islands away was omitted from the King's Speech.

This reversal would constitute the Prime Minister's 16th significant policy U-turn since taking office.

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Discussing the decision with Mr Tumbridge, GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope revealed to the lawyer No10 sources said that the deal "will not be ratified in this current parliament, but will in a future one".

Christopher told Mr Tumbridge: "They say they don't recognise the self-appointed Government in exile.

"There is no Government. They tell us they'll only talk to the US and Mauritius."

Hitting back at the remarks, the lawyer pointed to the party's stated commitment to self-determination for overseas territories, arguing ministers have failed to live up to this pledge.

"The self-determination of the overseas territories mattered, but they've never consulted the Chagossians," Mr Tumbridge said.

The barrister highlighted a legitimate consultation had taken place through an established polling organisation.

He emphasised the survey was funded, independently verified, and conducted by professionals with experience in such exercises.

"This is not self-appointment; there was a consultation through a proper polling company, and there was a vote, and they just don't like it," Mr Tumbridge stated.

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He suggested the Government was unwilling to engage with Chagossian representatives, specifically mentioning their reluctance to speak with Misley Mandarin.

"They don't like the idea that they'd have to talk to him," he added, describing the Government's dismissal of the poll results as a matter of convenience.

Mr Tumbridge drew a broader parallel about the nature of governmental authority, noting even long-established democracies like Britain began with citizens selecting their representatives.

"At what point does any Government come into being?" he asked.

He explained: "Yes, we can accept that countries like ours have been around a very long time, we've had a parliament for many, many years.

"But it all started with a group of people saying, you're my representative, you're my Government, it's no different."

The barrister concluded the administration was simply choosing to overlook an inconvenient reality.

"It's just convenient for the Government to ignore the truth. People want to be heard," he said.