Halt the Chagos Betrayal

We, the undersigned, call on the Government to immediately pause the Chagos settlement process and reopen negotiations in light of the central role played by Lord Mandelson in shaping Britain's position with the United States and Mauritius.

This is not a technical adjustment to Britain's overseas holdings. Chagos hosts critical defence infrastructure, underpins UK–US security cooperation in the Indian Ocean, and has been the subject of decades of diplomatic, judicial, and parliamentary scrutiny. Decisions of this magnitude must be unimpeachable in process, transparent in substance, and beyond reproach in the judgement of those entrusted with negotiating them.

Crucially, an overwhelming majority of the Chagossian community have expressed opposition to the current deal and have raised concerns about whether their voices, rights, and long-term interests have been adequately represented in the process.

We therefore demand:

• The immediate suspension of further legislative or diplomatic steps connected to the Chagos agreement.
• Full disclosure of Lord Mandelson's role in the negotiations.
• Publication of all legal advice received by the Government on the transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius since July 2024.
• A reset of negotiations to the position that existed before Lord Mandelson became engaged in the process.
• Parliamentary scrutiny of any future settlement before irreversible commitments are made.
• Meaningful consultation with representatives of the Chagossian community prior to any renewed agreement.

This is not about ideology. It is about sovereignty. It is about accountability. It is about ensuring that decisions affecting British territory are made through processes that command public trust.

Until Lord Mandelson's involvement is fully examined and its effects unwound, and until the concerns of the Chagossians themselves are properly addressed, the Chagos settlement must not proceed.