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A group of indigenous Chagossians plans to stage a protest in Westminster claiming they have been sidelined from discussions surrounding the handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, The Independent understands.
Chagossian Voices insists the UK government has “consistently and deliberately ignored” their perspectives throughout the negotiation process, calling for full inclusion in the treaty drafting.
As tensions mount, Sir Keir Starmer has defended the government’s decision, claiming that the UK-Mauritius deal ensures continued security of the US-UK Diego Garcia military base.
However, the move has drawn significant backlash, particularly from Argentina who capitalised on the situation by vowing to secure “full sovereignty” over the Falklands.
The geopolitical fallout followed the prime minister to Cheshire, where Labour ministers pledged nearly £22 billion to develop carbon capture projects in Merseyside and Teesside.
Sir Keir promised workers that the new investment would create thousands of jobs and attract private investment while helping the UK meet its net-zero targets.
He described today’s investment announcement as a demonstration of “the politics of renewal in action” and declared the new political divide between Labour and the Tories is ‘investment or decline’.
EXCLUSIVE | Indigenous Chagossians plan protest after being ‘excluded’ from talks
A group of indigenous Chagossians are planning to stage a protest in Westminster on Monday over the decision to hand the archipelago over to Mauritius, The Independent understands, accusing the government of excluding them from talks, Millie Cooke reports.
Chagossian Voices, a group representing indigenous people from the Chagos Islands, has claimed their views have been “consistently and deliberately ignored”, demanding full inclusion in the drafting of the treaty.
The group claimed to have learned the outcome of the negotiations through the media, saying indigenous Chagossians feel “powerless and voiceless in determining our own future”.
The protest has been organised for Monday at 11.30 am.
Euston station’s controversial advertising board axed
Transport secretary Louise Haigh has ordered the shutdown of a large advertising board at London’s Euston station.
The decision comes as Network Rail responds to mounting criticism over its decision to replace the traditional departure board with a massive advertising display, leaving travellers with smaller train information screens.
A frustrated Ms Haigh said: “For too long, Euston station simply hasn’t been good enough for passengers.
“That’s why I’ve tasked Network Rail with coming up with a clear plan to immediately improve conditions for passengers.
“This includes a shutdown of the advertising boards from today to review their use.”
SNP slams Starmer’s ‘clueless’ snub of Scottish carbon capture project
The SNP has accused Labour of being “clueless” for bypassing a key Scottish carbon capture project in favour of developments in England.
The prime minister announced plans for two £22 billion carbon capture clusters in Merseyside and Teesside, while Scotland’s Acorn project in St Fergus, Aberdeenshire, was overlooked once again.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn slammed the move, calling it a missed opportunity for economic growth and job creation in Scotland.
“Labour’s decision to prioritise the North of England over the Scottish cluster leaves us in the lurch,” Mr Flynn said.
“They’ve followed in the footsteps of the Tories.”
The Acorn project was given reserve status after being passed over for funding in 2021 by the previous UK government.
Lammy says third UK charter plane has left Lebanon
BREAKING | Royal Navy chief apologises over bullying and misogyny in submarine service
The First Sea Lord has apologised after an investigation found “misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours” in the submarine service.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, the head of the Royal Navy, ordered an investigation in 2022 into allegations made by former lieutenant Sophie Brook, who described a “constant campaign of sexual bullying”.
You can read the full story below:
Diane Abbott criticises Starmer over freebies: ‘What’s he hiding?’
Diane Abbott has launched a scathing attack on Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of “admitting wrongdoing” by returning £6,000 worth of luxury gifts after weeks of defending his actions.
Speaking on Sky News, the veteran Labour MP claimed the prime minister’s U-turn revealed a deeper issue.
Ms Abbott said: “He’s spent weeks insisting everything was above board, but now he’s had to give them back, What’s he hiding?”
She added that Sir Keir’s misjudgement shows a disconnect with ordinary people, adding: “He doesn’t understand how taking freebies looks to the public.”
Boris Johnson admits Leonardo DiCaprio snubbed him during cringe encounter
Boris Johnson has described how Leonardo DiCaprio “quirked his pace” to walk away from him after a mortifying conversation in which he recited lines from his films in a “South African” accent.
The former prime minister found himself starstruck as he came face-to-face with the Hollywood actor at the Cop 26 summit in November 2021.
You can read the full story below:
Starmer dodges Gibraltar question amid Chagos Islands backlash
The prime minister has avoided confirming whether other British overseas territories, like Gibraltar, could face a similar fate to the Chagos Islands after handing them to Mauritius.
Pressed on whether his government would commit to not signing away territories like Gibraltar, Sir Keir Starmer sidestepped the question.
He focused instead on securing the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia.
“The single most important thing was ensuring that we had a secure base,” he told reporters during his speech in Cheshire.
A No 10 spokesperson later clarified that the Chagos Islands decision “does not change our policy approach to other overseas territories.”
The islands had been under British control since 1814 but were ceded as part of an agreement aimed at resolving a longstanding legal dispute.
Ed Davey backs Chagos islands decision despite Tory criticism
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has thrown his support behind the government’s Chagos Islands deal.
Despite growing criticism from the Tories, he stressed the importance of adhering to international law, adding that people “need to realise that this had to be done”.
He added: “I have seen the Conservatives complaining about it but they started all the talks. I think it was James Cleverly when he was foreign secretary.”
David Davis: Boris Johnson ‘at best ill-informed’ on ECHR
In a rebuke, David Davis has criticised Boris Johnson’s stance on the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).
The Conservative MP accused the former prime minister of being “at best ill-informed” over the topic.
Mr Johnson recently suggested a referendum on the UK’s ECHR membership should be brought forward as it fails to offer unique protections.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Davis didn’t hold back.
He compared Mr Johnson’s remarks and those of leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick, whose recent campaign video sparked widespread backlash.
The Tory veteran said: “I am afraid Boris Johnson’s comments that the European Convention on Human Rights does not ‘provide people with protections that they wouldn’t otherwise have’ are, much like Robert Jenrick’s unwise video earlier this week, at best ill-informed.”
