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President's threat over Chagos President's threat over Chagos
(40 minutes later)
The president of Mauritius has threatened to leave the Commonwealth in protest at Britain's actions towards the people of the Chagos Islands. The Mauritius president has threatened to leave the Commonwealth in protest at the UK's "barbarous" treatment of the people of the Chagos Islands.
Sir Anerood Jugnauth also says he may take Britain to the International Court of Justice over what he calls its "barbarous" treatment of the islanders. Sir Anerood Jugnauth says he may take the UK to the International Court of Justice over the islanders' plight.
The Chagos, a British colony in the Indian Ocean, was leased to the US in the 1960s to build a military base. The Chagos Islands, a British colony in the Indian Ocean, were leased to the US in the 1960s to build a military base.
The residents were forced out and many now live in poverty in Mauritius. The residents were forced out and many now live in poverty in Mauritius, or as refugees in the UK.
Many have fought for the right to return to the islands, or for more help to improve their living standards in the UK.
The American base was built on the large island of Diego Garcia within the Chagos archipelago.The American base was built on the large island of Diego Garcia within the Chagos archipelago.
Royal prerogative
It was crucial during the Cold War and has gained new significance in recent years as a key launching point for bombing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.It was crucial during the Cold War and has gained new significance in recent years as a key launching point for bombing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
'Repugnant' In 2000, the courts ruled that Chagossians could return to their homes in 65 of the islands, but not to Diego Garcia. Then Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said the government would not appeal.
The High Court in London ruled last May that Britain's behaviour towards the Chagossian people was "repugnant". But in 2004 the government used the royal prerogative, powers that allow action without reference to Parliament, to effectively nullify the decision.
Sir Anerood Jugnauth is appalled by the UK's stance
But last year the High Court overturned the order and rejected government argument that the royal prerogative, exercised by ministers in the Queen's name, was immune from scrutiny.
The government's behaviour towards the Chagossians was described as "repugnant".
Sir Sydney Kentridge QC said then that there was no known precedent "for the lawful use of prerogative powers to remove or exclude an entire population of British subjects from their homes and place of birth".Sir Sydney Kentridge QC said then that there was no known precedent "for the lawful use of prerogative powers to remove or exclude an entire population of British subjects from their homes and place of birth".
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is currently challenging that decision and a judgment is expected in the next few weeks. Now the government has taken the case to the Court of Appeal, saying it prevents legislation relating to security and seriously affects the legal relationship with overseas territories.
But the American government has insisted that whatever the outcome it will not allow the former inhabitants to return to Diego Garcia because it would compromise security. Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is currently challenging that decision and a judgement is expected soon.
Exiles living in the UK protested outside the High Court on Monday as the government began its appeal.
Most came from the area around Gatwick Airport in Sussex where they settled after their expulsion.
But many more live in poverty in Mauritius, struggling to find jobs and homes.
An interview with the Mauritian president will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 1100 GMT on Wednesday 7 March.An interview with the Mauritian president will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 1100 GMT on Wednesday 7 March.