Chagossians trying to resettle on islands defy removal order

"A British patrol vessel found the men and officials served them with eviction papers, which warned them they could face fines or jail if they did not leave. The British Foreign Office has branded their journey an "illegal, unsafe stunt" and said they not pose any security risk to the UK-US military based on Diego Garcia. Misley Mandarin, a British-Chagossian who is part of the group, told the BBC the British would have to "drag me from my beach" and "kill me" if they wanted him to leave."

"Adam Holloway, a former Conservative MP and army officer who has now defected to Reform UK, helped the Chagossians return to the territory and remains on the island to help build the settlement. Holloway said the deal to cede the islands to Mauritius was "completely crazy". "We've done this because Britain is about to make a catastrophically stupid mistake," Holloway said. "We are now in a world of great power play. The base at Diego Garcia is absolutely critical to the security of"

Four Chagossians landed on a remote part of the Chagos archipelago after sailing from Sri Lanka to establish a permanent settlement on their homeland. British authorities served eviction papers warning of fines or jail for non-compliance. The Foreign Office called the journey an "illegal, unsafe stunt" and said the group does not pose a security risk to the UK-US base on Diego Garcia. Misley Mandarin, who calls himself first minister of a Chagossian government-in-exile, said the islands "belong to us" and vowed to stay. Lawyers supporting the group are prepared to appeal the removal order in court. A crew remains about 182m offshore to support them. Former MP Adam Holloway assisted the return and warned that ceding the islands to Mauritius risks strategic security.

Read at www.bbc.com