The Great British PAC today expressed deep disappointment following the High Court’s refusal to grant a green light in the first Chagossian Judicial Review, the case which challenged the Government’s failure to properly consult the Chagossian people over the future of the Chagos Islands.
The case, heard on 28 October 2025, argued that the Chagossian people, who were forcibly removed from their homeland, must be consulted before decisions are taken about the sovereignty and future governance of the Chagos Archipelago.
The legal challenge was led by KC Philip Rule, alongside barrister James Tumbridge, acting on behalf of the Chagossian claimants.
Despite the clear moral and constitutional importance of the issue, the Court has now declined to allow the challenge to proceed.
Claire Bullivant, CEO of the Great British PAC said:
“We are profoundly disappointed by today’s decision. The Chagossian people have spent decades fighting to have their voices heard, yet once again the system appears unwilling to listen.
“This case simply argued that the Chagossians, the people most directly affected, should be consulted about decisions concerning their homeland. That should not be controversial in a democratic society.
“Instead, the Court has effectively shut the door on that principle. It raises serious questions about whether our judiciary is truly in touch with the realities faced by the Chagossian community.”
The group also raised concerns about the timing of the judgment.
More than four months have passed since the hearing in October, an unusually long delay for a decision of this nature. The ruling has also emerged just days before a second Judicial Review relating to the Chagos Islands is due to be heard on Friday.
Adding further intrigue, Mauritian Attorney General Gavin Glover appeared to know last week that the judgment would be delivered today, before any public notification.
“People will understandably ask questions,” Bullivant said.
“Why did this decision take over four months to appear? Why does it arrive only days before the next Judicial Review is due to be heard? And how did the Mauritian Attorney General seem to know about the timing of the judgment before anyone else?
Transparency matters. At the moment, there are more questions than answers.”
Misley Mandarin, Chagossian First Minister, said:
“For generations, Chagossians have been treated as an afterthought in decisions about our own homeland. Today’s ruling is another painful reminder of how difficult it remains to secure even the most basic recognition of our rights.
“We were not asking for special treatment. We were asking for a voice.
“The Chagossian people will not give up. We have already made clear that we intend to appeal this decision and continue the fight to ensure our community is finally heard.”
Barrister James Tumbridge said:
“As the judge recognised passing decades since the expulsion of the Chagossians from the Islands time has not healed the injustice.
“The judge recognised the strength of the arguments yet will not let us be heard in a full hearing. This is not the justice the Chagossians deserve and we will appeal.”
The Great British PAC confirmed that attention will now turn to the next Judicial Review hearing scheduled for this Friday (13 March 2026), which concerns the right of Chagossians who have already returned to their islands to remain in their homeland.
“This fight is far from over,” the Bullivant said.
“We will continue to stand with the Chagossian people and pursue every available avenue to ensure their rights, their voices, and their homeland are not ignored.”
