Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory

Lord Craig of Radley Excerpts

Thursday 26th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I respect the noble Baroness’s steadfast support for the Chagossian community, but as she will know, there is not one single view among the Chagossian community or Chagossian groups, and there are several which support this new agreement. It is not good that people have found their way to this remote island, which is not suitable for habitation. They are putting their own lives at risk, and, more importantly, encouraging others to put their lives at risk too—and they should leave promptly.

[Lord Craig of Radley (CB)]

My Lords, on 5 January, when debating the Diego Garcia Bill, I asked the Minister this question:

“Is there any legally binding agreement between the UK and the United States that it”,


that is, the United States,

“will continue its use of the base or have need of its use for the 99-year duration of the treaty?”—[Official Report, 5/1/26; col. 957.]

The Minister did not answer then. Perhaps she could answer now, because it seems the UK should be aware and assured that the United States is committed for the whole length of the treaty, the 100 years.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

It is very important that we have an agreement with the United States about the continued use of this base, because it matters so much to our security, and the United States feels the same about it. There is no difference between the United Kingdom and the United States about the need to continue to have that base and to operate it together; we are in complete agreement on that. Where we are coming to talk to them now is about the nature of that agreement and these issues around sovereignty. We will do that, and we will get these issues resolved so that we can move forward.