Judge Halts Eviction of Chagos Islanders in Legal Blow to Starmer
A judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking eviction orders against Chagos Islanders who returned to their homeland this week, delivering a significant setback to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's controversial plans for the territory. Justice James Lewis ruled from an aircraft at 25,000 feet to grant a seven-day stay against enforcement actions, allowing four islanders including Chagossian First Minister Misley Mandarin to remain on Île du Coin.
Legal Battle Over Homeland Return
The four islanders, who sailed 2,000 miles across the Indian Ocean to reach the Chagos archipelago, were served eviction papers on Wednesday by a British patrol boat. The documents threatened prison sentences of up to three years or fines of £3,000 under the British Indian Ocean Territory (Immigration Order) 2004 if they did not depart. Their lawyer, James Tumbridge, successfully obtained the injunction that Justice Lewis granted, describing the decision as reflecting "clarity and fairness."
In a powerful "Declaration of Returning," the group stated: "We, the people of the Chagos Islands, stand today on the soil of our homeland. We are the advance party. Hundreds more are following. We have come home." Mandarin expressed outrage at the eviction attempt, calling it "appalling" after more than half a century of exile from their ancestral lands.
Political and International Complications
The ruling comes amid escalating tensions over Starmer's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a deal that includes Britain leasing back the strategic Diego Garcia military base for up to £30 billion over the next century. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel accused Labour of "doing Mauritius's bidding" by threatening Chagossians with severe penalties.
Complicating matters further, US President Donald Trump has threatened to block the handover after being refused permission to use British bases, including Diego Garcia, for strikes against Iran. In an explosive Truth Social post, Trump warned: "DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!" His volatile position has shifted multiple times, with diplomatic sources suggesting his opposition stems from Starmer blocking potential US raids from RAF bases over international law concerns.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The Chagos Islands have been a point of contention since Britain forcibly removed thousands of residents between 1967 and 1973 to establish the Diego Garcia military facility. The current "advance party" aims to establish permanent resettlement, directly challenging both the sovereignty transfer and decades of displacement. The Foreign Office condemned their journey as an "illegal, unsafe stunt," while questions have been raised about whether Labour's eviction attempts might violate legal protections.
With the injunction in place for seven days, the British government must now file a formal response. The situation remains fluid, balancing historical justice for Chagossians against geopolitical interests involving the United States, Mauritius, and Britain's strategic military arrangements. The outcome could significantly impact Starmer's foreign policy agenda and the future of the Indian Ocean territory.
