A former member of the Reform party is facing criticism for condemning the Chagos Islands agreement while previously advocating for a similar deal with Joe Biden. Andrew Rosindell had written to President Biden in 2020 urging action to address the Chagos situation, emphasizing the need to rectify historical injustices and return the islands to Mauritius.
Over the weekend, Rosindell switched from the Conservative Party to Reform, citing the Tories’ failure to challenge the government on the Chagos issue as a key reason for his departure. However, his past correspondence with Biden expressed reassurance that the Chagossian people’s rights would not jeopardize US national security.
In his capacity as chairman of the Chagos Islands All Party Parliamentary Group, Rosindell highlighted the importance of resolving legal disputes and supporting the Chagossians’ right to self-determination. He emphasized the need for a strategic reconsideration of policies regarding the islands and resettlement efforts.
The recent agreement between the UK and Mauritius involves transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia, where a UK-US military base is located, for 99 years. Rosindell assured Biden that the US military base’s security would not be compromised by resettlement or Mauritian sovereignty.
The deal, signed in May, has been hailed by the White House as securing the long-term operational stability of the joint US-UK military facility at Diego Garcia. The UK government’s actions have been prompted by calls from the United Nations and the International Court of Justice to return the islands to Mauritius.
Critics, including Labour MP Luke Charters, have accused Rosindell and the Reform party of hypocrisy, pointing out previous support for the Chagos agreement. The controversy surrounding the Chagos Islands deal continues to spark debate and scrutiny among political circles.