23 May 2025, 12:18

By Robert Midgley

The capitulation of the Chagos Islands isn’t just a loss of national capital, sovereignty and international security, it’s a loss for the right to self-determination around the world.

On Thursday, it wasn’t just the UK that was shaken by the court ruling; other Overseas Territories, such as Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, watched in horror. The Chief Minister of Gibraltar and the Falklands Legislative Assembly had to publicly calm nerves as they assured citizens there were no parallels.

Inside the court however, it signalled to the world that the UK had turned its back on the right to self-determination. In a historic David and Goliath moment, a single Chagossian stood up and pleaded on human rights grounds for the horrific Chagos Islands deal to be scrapped.

For months, the government said Chagossians had meaningful input in the deal. As a witness to those Zoom calls (not even face to face), I can tell you........

© LBC