Chagos women to sue UK over handover deal

TWO British women born on the Chagos Islands are set to bring legal action against the Government, insisting they should remain in UK hands and not be given over to Mauritius.

- By Jess Glass

Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, who were both born on Diego Garcia, are suing the Foreign Office over a proposed deal to cede sovereignty to Mauritius.

The agreement, which includes a plan to lease back the strategically important US military base on Diego Garcia at British taxpayers’ expense, is opposed by the Conservatives who fear China’s influence in the region.

Ms Dugasse and Ms Pompe say the islands should remain British.

They want the right to return to live where they were born after Chagossians were forced to leave the Indian Ocean territory by 1973 to make way for the base.

Lawyers for the two women have sent a pre-action letter to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.