Inside UK Border Force's 'bizarre and irresponsible' storming of Chagos aid vessel

Oliver Rickwood
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:12:00 +0000

The former Conservative MP who was leading an aid mission bound for the Chagos Islands - before it was stormed by British border officials - has hit out at the Government, branding the storming of the vessel “bizarre and irresponsible”.

The ship was stocked with supplies intended for a group of Chagossians who set up camp on the island in February, more than 50 years after the population was evicted from the British colony.

Adam Holloway, who originally helped the group raise funds and build their settlement on the island, was overseeing the launch of a vessel from the Maldives.

He told GB News that essential items were prevented from being taken ashore, including an emergency solar water still, mosquito nets, bed linen and sunglasses.

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Footage posted on social media showed officials rifling through boxes and documents after boarding the boat.

Speaking to Britain's News Channel last night, Mr Holloway explained that British officials asked for a list of all items intended for the Chagos camp, before informing him which ones would be allowed.

He added that when he asked to board the vessel before it left, he was denied permission.

“The Government didn't give permission for me… to go on the voyage, which is completely bizarre and irresponsible because I'm the person who's lived on the island with the settler party, so I know them best… to assess their welfare.

“We've got these philanthropists who are spending enormous amounts of money… I've spent four months on this unpaid and we're finding the Government is thwarting us at every turn.”

The First Minister of what was the Chagossian Government-in-exile, Misley Mandarin, also hit out at the action against the mission.

He told the Telegraph that it tainted the news he had welcomed earlier this week - that the Bill to cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius is to be removed from next month's King's Speech.

This followed President Donald Trump’s scathing attack of the Chagos deal, labelling it "an act of great stupidity".

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A Government spokesman insisted that Britain will continue to make the case to Washington that the deal was the “best way to protect the long-term future of the base”.

However, it also emerged this week that the United Nations is reviewing whether the deal to hand over the archipelago breaches international human rights laws.

While Labour backbenchers on Sunday called on the Prime Minister to abandon the "surrender" plans altogether.

Mr Holloway claimed the Government was in danger of committing “a crime against humanity.”

“A crime against humanity is also the forced removal of a native population... that is what this Government of so-called human rights lawyers is in danger of doing.

“I say this and so does Misley Mandarin, the First Minister: Bring it on. Bring in some fake immigration officers backed up by Royal Marines.

"Those guys are not leaving there except by force. And we will broadcast that live on television if that happens.”

GB News has approached the Foreign Office for comment.