URGENT UPDATE: Controversy erupts as new letters reveal UK MP Andrew Rosindell previously advocated for relinquishing the Chagos Islands, contradicting his recent criticisms of the government’s actions. This development raises serious questions about his credibility and motivations.
In a letter dated July 2021 addressed to then-Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Rosindell warned that the UK’s failure to return the Chagos Islands was undermining its international credibility. This revelation follows a prior letter he wrote to Joe Biden in January 2020, urging the US to assist in the “decolonisation” of the territory, which is a hot topic as the UK has just agreed to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. Rosindell’s recent defection to Reform UK has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, particularly after he branded negotiations with Mauritius a “total betrayal” of national security. Labour MP Luke Charters stated, “This is staggering hypocrisy from an MP who spent years advocating for this exact outcome.”
The letters showcase Rosindell’s dual stance. He previously argued, as chairman of the Chagos Islands All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), that respecting the International Court of Justice ruling was essential. In his letter to Raab, he stated, “The group believes that an overall settlement… is the only way to resolve these historical issues which remain a millstone round the neck of British diplomacy.”
The Labour Party has seized upon this information, accusing Rosindell of “rewriting history.” They emphasize that his recent outcries against the government’s agreement to return the islands contradict his past advocacy for decolonisation.
The UK has signed a historic deal with Mauritius to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, ending over two centuries of British control. This agreement includes a 99-year lease back of the island of Diego Garcia, which houses a vital UK-US military base.
In his communication with Biden, Rosindell acknowledged the need for a “radical rethink” on the future of the Chagos Islands, emphasizing that US security interests would not be compromised by Mauritian sovereignty. He reassured Biden, “The main interest of the United States is the continuation and security of the base on Diego Garcia,” and stated that Mauritian sovereignty would not threaten its operations.
As the political fallout intensifies, the public and media scrutiny on Rosindell’s actions is likely to grow. The Labour Party has called both the Conservatives and Reform UK “fundamentally unserious” about national security, as they are seen to spin narratives to fit their current political agendas.
WHAT’S NEXT: As this situation unfolds, the focus will be on how Rosindell responds to these allegations and whether his party can maintain credibility amidst growing scrutiny. The next APPG meeting in October could potentially address these contentious issues, promising further developments in this ongoing saga.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
