Latest news with #JusticeGoose
Epoch Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
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.'
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Starmer signs deal with Mauritius to hand over Chagos Islands
The deal involves leasing back a crucial military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, for 99 years and comes after a last-minute legal challenge. Speaking from the UK's military headquarters, the Prime Minister said the base is 'one of the most significant contributions that we make to our security relationship with the United States'. He added: '£101 million a year is the average cost. The net overall cost is therefore £3.4 billion overall. That's over the 99 years.' When challenged by journalists that the annual cost he cited would add up to nearer £10 billion over the course of the agreement, the Prime Minister said it was the 'net cost' accounting for inflation over time. The UK will retain full operational control of Diego Garcia, including the electromagnetic spectrum satellite used for communications which counters hostile interference. A 24-nautical mile buffer zone will be put in place around the island where nothing can be built or placed without UK consent. Not agreeing the deal would mean the UK could not prevent China or any other nation setting up their own bases on the outer islands or carrying out joint exercises near Britain's base, Sir Keir said. 'We would have to explain to you, the British people and to our allies, that we'd lost control of this vital asset,' he added. The agreement had been due to be signed on Thursday morning but was temporarily blocked by an injunction hours before. High Court judge Mr Justice Goose granted an injunction at 2.25am against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for 'interim relief' to Bertrice Pompe, one of two British women born on the Chagos Islands who is set to bring legal action against the Government over the deal. A different judge later said the injunction should be discharged after an urgent hearing. The last-minute legal challenge was 'in a way…a good thing' because it forced a court to come down conclusively on the side of the Government and clear it to go ahead, Sir Keir said.
Leader Live
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Court halts conclusion of Chagos Islands deal with injunction
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 10.30am. In the injunction granted at 2.25am 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'. 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
22-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Starmer signs deal with Mauritius to hand over Chagos Islands
The deal involves leasing back a crucial military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, for 99 years and comes after a last-minute legal challenge. Speaking from the UK's military headquarters, the Prime Minister said the base is 'one of the most significant contributions that we make to our security relationship with the United States'. He added: '£101 million a year is the average cost. The net overall cost is therefore £3.4 billion overall. That's over the 99 years.' When challenged by journalists that the annual cost he cited would add up to nearer £10 billion over the course of the agreement, the Prime Minister said it was the 'net cost' accounting for inflation over time. The UK will retain full operational control of Diego Garcia, including the electromagnetic spectrum satellite used for communications which counters hostile interference. A 24-nautical mile buffer zone will be put in place around the island where nothing can be built or placed without UK consent. Not agreeing the deal would mean the UK could not prevent China or any other nation setting up their own bases on the outer islands or carrying out joint exercises near Britain's base, Sir Keir said. 'We would have to explain to you, the British people and to our allies, that we'd lost control of this vital asset,' he added. The agreement had been due to be signed on Thursday morning but was temporarily blocked by an injunction hours before. High Court judge Mr Justice Goose granted an injunction at 2.25am against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for 'interim relief' to Bertrice Pompe, one of two British women born on the Chagos Islands who is set to bring legal action against the Government over the deal. A different judge later said the injunction should be discharged after an urgent hearing. The last-minute legal challenge was 'in a way…a good thing' because it forced a court to come down conclusively on the side of the Government and clear it to go ahead, Sir Keir said.
Glasgow Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Starmer signs deal with Mauritius to hand over Chagos Islands
The deal involves leasing back a crucial military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, for 99 years and comes after a last-minute legal challenge. Speaking from the UK's military headquarters, the Prime Minister said the base is 'one of the most significant contributions that we make to our security relationship with the United States'. He added: '£101 million a year is the average cost. The net overall cost is therefore £3.4 billion overall. That's over the 99 years.' When challenged by journalists that the annual cost he cited would add up to nearer £10 billion over the course of the agreement, the Prime Minister said it was the 'net cost' accounting for inflation over time. The UK will retain full operational control of Diego Garcia, including the electromagnetic spectrum satellite used for communications which counters hostile interference. A 24-nautical mile buffer zone will be put in place around the island where nothing can be built or placed without UK consent. Not agreeing the deal would mean the UK could not prevent China or any other nation setting up their own bases on the outer islands or carrying out joint exercises near Britain's base, Sir Keir said. 'We would have to explain to you, the British people and to our allies, that we'd lost control of this vital asset,' he added. The agreement had been due to be signed on Thursday morning but was temporarily blocked by an injunction hours before. High Court judge Mr Justice Goose granted an injunction at 2.25am against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for 'interim relief' to Bertrice Pompe, one of two British women born on the Chagos Islands who is set to bring legal action against the Government over the deal. A different judge later said the injunction should be discharged after an urgent hearing. The last-minute legal challenge was 'in a way…a good thing' because it forced a court to come down conclusively on the side of the Government and clear it to go ahead, Sir Keir said.
