A Chagossian who served in the British Army has declared he would "rather die" than see his homeland handed over to Mauritius, following Sir Keir Starmer's signing of a controversial deal today.
Misley Mandarin, who runs the group BIOT (British Indian Ocean Territory), expressed his outrage to GB News hours after the Prime Minister finalised the agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
Starmer signed the agreement today to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a deal that will cost the UK £101million per year.
Speaking from the UK's military headquarters, the Prime Minister confirmed the arrangement includes leasing back Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands and home to a crucial military base, for 99 years.
Mandarin, who came to Britain 23 years ago as a British citizen, expressed his deep sense of betrayal.
He said: "I'm appalled about this decision, and we clearly see that Keir Starmer doesn't connect with British people, less with the Chagossians.
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"I came to this country 23 years ago as a British citizen. I joined the British Army to serve this country, and today, Keir Starmer just shattered all our hope. We are Chagossian, and we are British that he needs to understand.
"One thing I learned in the Army, we never retreat, we never surrender, right? This is appalling.
"This Prime Minister, he needs to be removed, we need to remove him from No10, because he brings shame on the UK.
"I've been I'm risking my life for this country. Today, this Prime Minister just treats us like animals. How does he have the audacity to call himself a human rights lawyer? He works only for himself and his close friends."
He pleaded: "You need to do a U-turn, as quickly as possible. We will never, never, never let this happen. I'd rather die than see my country go to Mauritius."
GB News host Martin Daubney shook his hand and said: "You are as British as I am."
Under the terms of the agreement, the UK will retain full operational control of Diego Garcia, including the electromagnetic spectrum satellite used for communications, which counters hostile interference.
A 24-nautical-mile buffer zone will be established around the island where nothing can be built or placed without UK consent.
The Prime Minister described the base as "one of the most significant contributions that we make to our security relationship with the United States".
GB News host Martin Daubney shook his hand and said "you are as British as I am."
GB NEWS
The deal comes after several weeks in which it appeared to be on hold over political difficulties, according to reports.
The agreement had been due to be signed on Thursday morning but was temporarily blocked by an injunction granted in the early hours.
High Court judge Mr Justice Goose granted the emergency injunction at 2.25am against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for "interim relief" to Bertrice Pompe, one of two British women born on the Chagos Islands set to bring legal action against the Government.
A different judge later ruled the injunction should be discharged after an urgent hearing, allowing the deal to proceed.
