High Court fast-tracks Chagos case as Labour faces legal action over deal with Mauritius

The Government must now file its defence by July 4, reducing the usual 28-day deadline significantly.

A judge is set to review the case on July 11, with a full hearing possible before the month’s end.

In a written ruling, the judge acknowledged the importance and thoroughness of the case, citing the "very detailed grounds and a 1,689-page bundle" submitted by the claimants.

The court has allowed the case to be fast-tracked, recognising its urgency and scope.

The case claims the UK Government acted unlawfully by failing to consult Chagossians before entering sovereignty negotiations with Mauritius.

Lawyers argue this breaches the Equality Act 2010, international law, and principles of fairness.

They say the Chagossian people, recognised by the UK as British citizens and a distinct ethnic group, have a legal right to be consulted before any decisions are made about the future of their homeland.

Responding to the decision, Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: "Labour has betrayed British Chagossians with its shambolic £30billion Chagos Surrender Treaty.

"The legal challenge is exposing the appalling way that hypocritical Labour Ministers who talk up their commitments to human rights are neglecting British Chagossians.

"Labour cannot be trusted. It is disgraceful that Keir Starmer and David ‘Calamity’ Lammy are more interested in giving Mauritius billions of pounds of taxpayers' money to fund tax cuts there than in respecting British Chagossians, defending our security and protecting our public finances."

Patel fumed: "Labour needs to delay the process to ratify this Treaty to allow court proceedings to continue and give the House of Commons a debate and vote.

"If Keir Starmer had any sense, scrapping the Chagos Surrender Treaty would be his next U-turn."

The deal with Mauritius could cost British taxpayers up to £30billion.

Under the agreement, the UK Government must give advance notice before any attack is launched from Diego Garcia.

The strategic military base in the Indian Ocean has long been key to British and American operations.

Some experts warn the deal may restrict Britain’s independence in military decisions.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, Louis Misley Mandarin, a Chagossian and claimant in the case, said: "We are fighting to be heard, not ignored again.

"Our people deserve consultation, not secrecy."

Claire Bullivant, CEO of the Great British PAC, also welcomed the ruling.

She described the court’s decision as "a huge step forward", adding: "The courts have recognised the urgency and importance of this case.

"We now call on Parliament to suspend any process related to Chagos' sovereignty until the Court has ruled. Justice demands no less."

The Lords will meet on Monday to debate the UK’s treaty with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands.

The deal hands sovereignty to Mauritius but keeps Diego Garcia as a UK-US base for 99 years.

Lord Callanan and Lord Purvis of Tweed will table motions against the agreement, citing security risks and Britain’s historic ties to the territory.

The House will also review a report from the International Agreements Committee on the impact of the treaty.

A Foreign Office (FCDO) spokesman said: "The negotiations were between the UK and Mauritius, with our priority being to secure the full operation of the base on Diego Garcia.

"However, we have worked to ensure this agreement reflects the importance of the islands to Chagossians.

"As part of this, we will finance a new trust fund for Mauritius to use in support of the Chagossian community and work with Mauritius to start a new programme of visits for Chagossians to the Chagos Archipelago."