Im glad to hear that the people of the Chagos Islands might be allowed to return home after more than 40 years in forced exile.
Britain leased their homeland to the US so they could build an airbase at Diego Garcia. In return we got a cheaper deal on nuclear weapons. It was one of the most shameful acts committed by a British government.
Nearly 2,000 Chagossians were scared off the islands then forced to live as second-class citizens in Mauritius after having their pet dogs rounded up and gassed.
The 50-year lease is coming up for renewal. And after evidence emerged that Diego Garcia was used by the US for illegal extraordinary rendition flights, its time we took it back.
Now after a long campaign by the islanders and adventurer Ben Fogle, which Ive supported in this column, our foreign office could allow them to finally return. With emphasis on the word could.
On Tuesday the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said an independent study, commissioned by his predecessor William Hague, had confirmed that a return was viable.
Auditors KPMG estimate it would cost around 63million spread over three years to re-establish the community back on the islands. But the Government believes it could go up to 420million. That sounds like Hammond is getting his excuses in early ready to betray the islanders once again.
Campaigners say both figures are ludicrous but I think 63million is a small price to pay for the injustice we dealt them.
And if anyone complains about the cost, might I remind them that we spend 65million A YEAR helping another group of British islanders. Except they live on the Falklands, were granted a referendum on whether to stay British and theyre white. In total, since 1982 well have spent more than 1billion maintaining those 2,000 islanders 500,000 each.
Suddenly the Chagos Islands look cheap at half the price.
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After shameful exile it's time people of the Chagos Islands were allowed to come home
