Chagossian campaigners have urged MPs to pause a disputed sovereignty agreement with Mauritius
GB NEWS
Campaigners are also calling for a face-to-face meeting with the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee
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A campaigner representing the Chagossian community has urged MPs to pause a disputed sovereignty agreement with Mauritius, warning the Government is pushing it through too quickly without proper examination.
Speaking outside Parliament, Misley Mandarin accused ministers of rushing through the process and called on politicians to hold off on approving the deal until all details are fully disclosed.
“This is not just paperwork,” he said. “It’s about sovereignty, security, protecting the environment, and justice for our people.”
Mandarin is calling for a face-to-face meeting with Committee Chair Emily Thornberry, stressing the rights of displaced Chagossian families must be at the heart of any future agreement.
His call comes after a tense Commons session last week, when Thornberry grilled Foreign Office officials over environmental safeguards, fishing rights, and for the fact that Chagossians were left out of the talks.
“She asked the right questions,” said Mandarin. “But now we need real answers. These issues impact our future, and we deserve to have a say.”
Concerns have since been echoed across the political spectrum.
Former Leader of the House Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, said: “It would be normal for Parliament to now suspend any progress relating to Chagos’ sovereignty until the Court has ruled.”
Conservative MP Bradley Thomas also backed a pause, warning the Government against moving forward without proper consultation.
“It turns out even senior Labour MPs are uneasy about this deal,” he said. “That should serve as a warning. Full consultation is essential — anything less isn’t acceptable.”
Labour MP Peter Lamb questioned the Government’s moral standing.
“What am I meant to tell my Chagossian constituents,” he asked, “when they want to know why the UK is ignoring their right to self-determination?”
Campaign groups, supported by the Great British PAC, have launched a legal challenge, seeking a judicial review over how the talks have been handled.
Ministers have until July 4 to respond, with a court decision expected by July 11.
Claire Bullivant, director of the PAC, said: “This is more than just foreign policy. It’s about whether Britain is willing to listen to displaced people. Parliament cannot turn a blind eye.”
An Foreign Office spokesman said: “We do not comment on ongoing legal challenges.
“The negotiations were between the UK and Mauritius with our priority being to secure the full operation of the base in 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.”
