On Wednesday the Supreme Court ruled against the Chagossian people's bid to win the right to return to their homeland. This was disappointing, but actually as far as defeats go, this was a pretty good one. The court's judgement may have a narrow rejection of Chagossians' claim, but it makes it all the more likely the Government will decide to back Chagossian return: here's a few reasons why... The Government is still due to deliver a separate Chagos return decision this year,

Ministers were answering fresh questions about the future of the Chagos Islands in Parliament this week. Labour MP Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) asked Minister James Duddridge very directly “What the Government's policy is on the future of the Chagos Islands?” A good question indeed, but unsurprisingly it received a familiar answer. “The Government concluded an independent feasibility study in February 2015, and carried out a twelve week public consultation, the result

Labour’s Shadow Foreign Minister Catherine West today (12th April) spoke up to back Chagossian return to their homeland, as party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn watched on. This is the most direct indication yet that the Labour Party will back Chagossians’ ambitions to begin resettlement of their homeland as soon as possible. The full written record of the questions can be read here. “Will the Foreign and Commonwealth Office invest the money to recogn

98 per cent of Chagossians back resettlement of their homeland, according to the summary of an official UK Government consultation with the Chagossian community published on 21st January. This puts paid to doubts Government Ministers had raised over Chagossian demand for resettlement. The summary document also acknowledges a “range of practical [professional] skills” which Chagossians could utilise in a renewed economy on the islands. The report also indicates Chagossians' am