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Human rights

Last-Minute Court Intervention Derails UK Government's Deal to Hand Over Chagos Islands

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The UK government's plans to sign a deal transferring the Chagos Islands to Mauritius were thrown into disarray after a court injunction was granted to a group of Chagossian refugees and the Great British Political Action Committee, a pressure group modelled on those in the US. The injunction, which was issued at the last minute, prevented the government from proceeding with the deal until the Chagossian people's concerns have been addressed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Great British Political Action Committee, a US-style pressure group, crowdfunded the legal action against the UK government's plan to sign the Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius.
  • The group, which claims to champion values that make Britain strong, argued that the government had failed in its legal duties to consult properly, act fairly and consider the consequences for the Chagossian people.
  • Sir James Eadie KC, the government's barrister, accused the claimant's legal team of doing "nothing for two months" after being told they would not be forewarned about the deal being signed.
  • Harriet Mathews, director-general for Africa, the Americas and the overseas territories at the Foreign Office, stated that the injunction had harmed the UK's standing with Mauritius and the US.
  • The court injunction was granted by Mr Justice Chamberlain, a human rights law specialist, who cited the risk of misjustice as the reason for the delay.
  • The Chagossian claimant, Bertrice Pompe, vowed not to give up in her fight against the UK government's decision to cede the islands without their consent.

Statistics:

  • The court hearing dragged into the night, with lawyers arguing for over an hour and a half before the judgment was delivered.
  • 12.30pm is the time at which Mr Justice Chamberlain delivered his judgment.
  • The court injunction was in place for several days, causing chaos in the UK government's plans to announce the deal.
  • The Great British Political Action Committee claims to have crowdfunded the legal action from donors concerned about the UK government's plans to cede the Chagos Islands.

Sources:

  • "The Times"
  • The Great British Political Action Committee
  • The UK Foreign Office
  • The Royal Courts of Justice
  • Bertrice Pompe's testimony

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