Supporters outside the High Court in central London, during a hearing over a last-minute block on the Government from concluding its deal on the Chagos Islands, May 22, 2025
SIR KEIR STARMER finally unveiled the deal transferring the Chagos Islands in the Pacific to Mauritian sovereignty today after a last-minute court injunction preventing the handover was lifted.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the deal was vital to secure continued use of the vast US-British military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands.
Sir Keir said that without the deal, international legal action could have prejudiced the continued operation of the base, which is seen as vital to imperialist interests.
The long-mooted announcement followed a day of legal drama.
High Court judge Mr Justice Goose had granted an injunction sought by Bertrice Pompe, a British citizen born in the Chagos opposed to the agreement, halting the transfer at 2.25am.
But a few hours later, Mr Justice Chamberlain overruled Mr Goose, saying: “The interests of the United Kingdom would be substantially prejudiced by the grant or continuance of interim relief and these matters provide a strong public interest [against keeping the injunction].”
The agreement ends colonial rule over what is known as the British Indian Islands Territory in return for a 99-year guarantee securing the future of the Diego Garcia base.
The Chagossians were evicted from the islands more than 50 years ago to make way for US bombers. The British government will pay Mauritius £101 million a year to keep the US base, Sir Keir announced.
He justified the expense at a time of welfare cuts because “keeping the country safe and secure is the first duty of a prime minister.”
Ms Pompe had wanted the islands to remain under British control, but with the right to return to live where she was born. After the final hearing, she said it was ”very, very, sad day” for the islanders, but ”we are not giving up.”
Opponents have whipped up unevidenced hysteria that the agreement will benefit China.
Reform party deputy leader Richard Tice was outside the court and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also denounced the agreement, which is now expected to move rapidly to a Commons vote.
Sir Keir accused Ms Badenoch and Reform leader Nigel Farage of lining up with Russia, China and Iran to oppose the deal, adding that it proved neither were “fit to be prime minister.”
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