Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee Excerpts

Thursday 26th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

It is good to see the noble Lord here in his place—he has not been part of the discussions we have had up to now. If he had been, he might have found some useful exchanges across this Chamber on that very topic. We think there is a legal basis for the decisions we have made. Although noble Lords opposite may disagree with that, there is at least consistency in our position. I am genuinely fascinated by what the previous Government thought they were doing, negotiating around a dozen times, if, as they maintain now, they thought there was no legal jeopardy around the future of the base.

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

My Lords—

[Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Con)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Lemos) (Lab)]

My Lords, we will hear from the noble Baroness, Lady Foster, next.

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I did say the last time we debated this issue, as the Minister probably remembers, that there were consequences to ignoring the voices and the rights of self-determination of the Chagossian people. We now find ourselves in a situation where they have taken matters into their own hands and have gone to the archipelago. Surely it is now long past the time when we need to kill this treaty.

[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.