Justice James Lewis – chief justice of the British Indian Ocean territory – has granted a temporary injunction to prevent the forced removal of those Chagossians who have landed back on the archipelago. Led by their first minister Misley Mandarin…
Lewis said:
“There is no doubt the balance of convenience falls on the side of the claimants (the islanders). They are 120 miles from Diego Garcia and pose no threat to national security on the evidence before me.
If they are deported they will have great difficulties in returning. In my judgment the claimants have made out their application in the light of no response or engagement by the commissioner.
It follows that I grant a temporary injunction against the enforcement of the s.12 (removal) notices. This injunction will remain in place for seven days to allow the defendants to file a response.
In the absence of a response the injunction will remain in force until determination of the judicial review application. At the expiry of seven days I will make further order if the defendant files a response.”
The Chagossians continue to pursue available legal avenues to challenge the Chagos surrender deal – all while Trump puts a new block on it. Now they can get on with re-establishing a permanent settlement…
Read the full temporary injunction below:
Starmer was read out a list of his 13 U-turns on BBC Radio 2, to which he responded:
“Well, I am a common sense merchant.”