A group of senior military commanders has written directly to every member of the House of Lords urging them to reject the Government’s Chagos legislation, warning that it risks “possibly the most serious military-strategic error since the Suez Crisis”.
In a letter circulated ahead of the Bill’s Third Reading this afternoon (Monday), the commanders set out detailed concerns about the proposed transfer of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius, including the future of the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base.
The signatories include retired flag officers and senior personnel from all three services, among them Rear Admiral Chris Parry, Rear Admiral Roger Lane-Nott, Major General Tim Cross, Colonel Richard Kemp and Squadron Leader Mark A Nash, alongside former non-commissioned officers and soldiers who served in the British Army.
They describe their intervention as prompted by “a moment of grave concern and potential consequences regarding the future strategic interests of our country”.
The letter stresses the importance of sovereign control over overseas bases, stating: “Our ability to deploy our military forces rapidly and effectively anywhere in the world has long been central to achieving national security, political objectives, competitive advantage and support to our allies.”
It continues: “Our ability to do so requires access to bases and facilities at times and places of our choosing.”
The officers point to the unique role of Diego Garcia, quoting Defence Secretary John Healey’s statement to Parliament that: “Diego Garcia is unique. We do things there that we simply could not do anywhere else.”
They also cite former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West of Spithead, who asked in the foreword to a recent Policy Exchange report: “How can the base – an indispensable naval, air and intelligence asset – be more secure under the sovereignty of another nation than under our own?”
The letter references comments attributed to President Donald Trump, who has argued that sovereignty matters more than long-term leases. “You don’t defend leases the same way, you have to own it,” he said. “Countries can’t make nine-year deals or even one-hundred-year deals. Countries have to have ownership – you defend ownership you don’t defend leases.”
Drawing on their own experience, the signatories warn that reliance on another state’s sovereignty would introduce risk and constraint. “From experience, we can attest to the invaluable edge that a sovereign military base gives to the freedom to operate without the complexity or risks of having to work or consult with host or allied nations,” they write, citing Gibraltar and Ascension Island during the Falklands War as examples.
The officers accuse the Government of misrepresenting the legal necessity of the deal. They note that when the Defence Secretary introduced the Chagos Treaty in Parliament last May, he warned that without action the base could become “inoperable” following adverse legal rulings.
However, the letter states: “It is preposterous that the government has called in the aid of a non-binding international tribunal as its justification for relinquishing the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory.”
They add that ministers failed to explain that “the United Kingdom retains a clear opt-out under Article 298 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea with regard to the Chagos Islands”.
Looking ahead, the signatories raise concerns about long-term strategic risk, particularly in relation to China. They warn that if US strategic priorities were to shift, Britain could be left bearing both the financial burden of lease payments and the responsibility for resisting hostile influence in the region.
They note that under Article 15 of the treaty, a failure by the UK to make payments could allow Mauritius to permit other countries access to Diego Garcia, warning that such a scenario “could gift China the region’s pre-eminent strategic hub and bridge to Africa and beyond”.
The letter describes growing unease among the public and within defence circles as the Government pursues the transfer of sovereignty to “a state with long-standing ties to China and no lawful claim to the Chagos Archipelago”.
The signatories also highlight Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledge to protect British Overseas Territories and uphold their right to self-determination, noting that “at no point did that manifesto propose the surrender of the Chagos Islands”.
They conclude with a direct appeal to peers: “On this basis alone, no self-respecting member of the House of Lords should support this serious act of strategic self-harm.”
Urging peers to “place Country before Party”, the letter calls on the Upper House to vote down the Bill at Third Reading and to “avert possibly the most serious military-strategic error since the Suez Crisis”.
The intervention marks one of the most significant collective warnings from retired senior military figures during the Bill’s passage and adds to mounting pressure on peers as the legislation enters its final parliamentary stage.
READ THE TOP BRASS LETTER IN FULL BELOW:
Stop that Stupid and danger deal with mauritius 52 years that i live in exile in that country corruption is everywhere in this country and many discrimination and mauritius is a big big friend with india and china they will make the base millitary unoperated i sure with no mistake that i am saying my origine come from Diego Garcia i dont want mauritius on my ancestor land we our nation of Chagosian people we suport UK and USA we want self dertermination thank you JESUS save CHAGOS