Court Halts Conclusion of Chagos Islands Deal With Injunction
The government has temporarily been banned from concluding its negotiations on the Chagos Islands deal by an injunction granted in the early hours by a High Court judge.
Downing Street insisted the deal is the 'right thing' but would not comment on the legal case.
A hearing is expected to take place at 10:30 a.m.
In the injunction granted at 2:25 a.m. on Thursday, brought against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Mr. Justice Goose granted 'interim relief' to Bertrice Pompe, who had previously taken steps to bring legal action over the deal.
'The defendant shall take no conclusive or legally binding step to conclude its negotiations concerning the possible transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Archipelago, to a foreign government or bind itself as to the particular terms of any such transfer,' Mr. Justice Goose said in his order.
It requires the government to 'maintain the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom over the British Indian Ocean Territory until further order.'
Related Stories
2/27/2025
2/5/2025
According to the order, the judge granted the injunction 'upon consideration of the claimant's application for interim relief made out of court hours' and 'upon reading the defendants' response.'
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had been expected to attend a virtual ceremony alongside representatives from the Mauritian government on Thursday morning to sign off on the deal.
Britain would give up sovereignty of the island territory to Mauritius under the deal, and lease back a crucial military base on the archipelago for 99 years.
A government spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on ongoing legal cases.
'This deal is the right thing to protect the British people and our national security.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
25 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Secretary Galvin, Park Service announce Battle of Bunker Hill 250th anniversary events
Advertisement Although the Regulars took the hill that day and burned most of Charlestown down, the Patriots inflicted over 1,000 casualties on the British, including more than 200 killed. The British suffered more than twice the American losses, proving to both King and colonies that the fight for independence would be long and bloody, but winnable for the Americans. 'It unified the colonies in the belief that they had to take a stand to be independent, culminating just a year later on July 4, 1776, with the Declaration of Independence,' Galvin said. 'So in a very real way, the blood that was spilled here set the scene for the founding of the United States.' The new additions to the 'Upon Such Ground' exhibit, which opened in March at the Commonwealth Museum, 220 Morrissey Blvd., in Dorchester, will include original documents relating to the Battle of Bunker Hill, such as pay records for veterans, an 1823 petition to erect the monument that now towers above the site, and a list of survivors who returned for the battle's 50th anniversary in 1825. Advertisement The exhibit's title comes from a June 18, 1775, In addition to the extended exhibit, Galvin announced the return of the Commonwealth Museum's Fourth of July display of Massachusetts' original copy of the Declaration of Independence, signed by John Hancock. That same day, the crypt at the United First Parish Church in Quincy — final resting place of Presidents John and John Quincy Adams and their wives — will also be open to the public. Offered in partnership with the National Park Service and funded by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the special opening marks the 199th anniversary of John Adams's death, exactly 50 years after he signed the Declaration of Independence. Simeon Monteleone, superintendent of the National Parks of Boston, said the Park Service is prepared for increased visitation to the Bunker Hill Monument leading up to and during 'This monument continues to serve as a vital commemorative space, rallying point, and inspiration to veterans, community members, and visitors alike,' Monteleone said. Advertisement While the Park Service has Asked why no full battle reenactment would take place in Charlestown itself, officials cited logistical and environmental constraints. 'This is an urban environment,' Galvin said. 'The hills have been filled with houses now. I don't think it could be a faithful reenactment.' He added that reenactments planned elsewhere — including in Gloucester — could better replicate the topography and scale of the original battle. The 250th anniversary As Massachusetts marks the Revolution it helped ignite, Galvin suggested the anniversary carries added weight in light of recent federal actions that have rattled institutions and residents across the state. 'I don't think it's political to say that democracy is under threat,' he said. 'If these commemorations provide some additional inspiration now and in the future, it's the importance of recognizing that it's our turn — as it was theirs back then — to protect and preserve democracy.' Nathan Metcalf can be reached at
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Suspected people-smuggling gang arrested in raids
Six people suspected to be part of a people-smuggling gang supplying fake identities to illegal migrants have been arrested. The Home Office said that five men and one women were arrested in dawn raids on Tuesday in Cheltenham, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Bradford. The lead suspect, a 37-year-old Botswana national, was arrested in Cheltenham on suspicion of assisting and planning the illegal entry of more than 200 migrants from Botswana into the UK. The Home Office said the suspects are thought to be involved in a criminal network exploiting vulnerable people by making them work in the care sector without proper training. Chief immigration officer Mick Wilson said it was thought the gang had brought up to 200 people into the country illegally over the last two years. "Our objective is to arrest those who are involved, who were making money out of the facilitation, and also providing them with false documents and false identities," he said. Once in the country, it is believed the suspected gang submitted false asylum claims using fake documents. They are also believed to have helped migrants get jobs in care homes, despite them not having adequate training. As well as the man arrested in Cheltenham, a British man aged 36 was detained in Sheffield, a 33-year-old woman in Oldham and another man, aged 46, in Bradford. Two further men, aged 39 and 50, were arrested in Swinton and Nottingham respectively. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to help asylum seekers enter the UK, and conspiracy to breach UK immigration law. The arrests come as part of the Labour government's Plan for Change, which was launched to target people-smuggling gangs. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: "This operation demonstrates that we will use the full force of the law against those who facilitate illegal entry into the UK for exploitation." Immigration enforcement criminal and financial investigation inspector Phillip Parr said: "There is no place for those who profit from human misery, and we will continue to use all available powers to pursue and prosecute those involved in these despicable crimes." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Labour's immigration plans at a glance Thirty-five arrested in people smuggling crackdown Lorry driver disputes fine over stowaway immigrants Home Office
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
UK spared from Trump's 50% steel and aluminium tariffs
The UK has been spared from US President Donald Trump's executive order doubling steel and aluminium tariffs from 25% to 50%. The order signed by Trump on Tuesday evening raises import taxes for US firms buying from other countries - but the levy remains at 25% for the UK. The UK carve-out is dependent on the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) from 8 May, but the order also says the UK levy could rise to 50% if it does not comply with the terms of the EPD from 9 July. A UK government spokesperson said it remains "committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors, including steel as part of our plan for change".
