Lords secure 'humiliating' defeats on Chagos deal

MEMBERS of the House of Lords have dealt a major blow to the Prime Minister's Chagos bill, inflicting four humiliating defeats against Labour.

- CHRISTIAN CALGIE

Peers managed to pass significant amendments to Sir Keir's sell-off of the Diego Garcia base to Mauritius, including a new demand for a referendum of local Chagossians.

A coalition of Tories, Lib Dems, crossbenchers and others backed the amendment, to block ratification of the treaty until the islanders have their say.