Friends of the British Overseas Territories condemn Mauritian state interference in UK consultation

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1st December 2025

Friends of the British Overseas Territories condemn Mauritian state interference in UK consultation

Friends of the British Overseas Territories (FOTBOT) is deeply concerned by reports in Mauritian media indicating that the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation in Mauritius has been actively involved in the House of Lords consultation surveying Chagossian views on the future of the Chagos Archipelago. Mauritius is a direct party to the Treaty under examination and has a clear interest in the outcome.

Any involvement by Mauritian state bodies in a UK parliamentary consultation constitutes foreign interference in a British democratic process. A survey intended to inform Parliament must be entirely free from the participation, coordination or influence of a foreign government. This standard is non-negotiable.

The role of the Mauritian authorities fundamentally compromises the integrity of the consultation. It calls into question whether responses represent the freely expressed views of Chagossians or have been influenced by a government seeking to legitimise its own political objectives. We have already seen underhand tactics from the Mauritian authorities used in this process, but which have gone ignored by the UK Government. This only adds to the list of reasons as to why the Mauritian Government cannot be trusted on this matter.

James Lunn, Chief Executive of Friends of the British Overseas Territories, said:
“There is no justification for a foreign state inserting itself into a UK parliamentary process. If Mauritian authorities are involved in the consultation in any capacity, the process is tainted and cannot be relied upon.”

This consultation has been rushed through within two weeks without any sort of safeguards or verification process which has no scrutiny and has been proven to be open to foreign interference and influence.

Friends of the British Overseas Territories calls for the UK government to stop the process, step-back and ensure a new, meaningful consultation with robust safeguards, including verification of respondents, a controlled and secure platform, and an independent oversight to guarantee the integrity and independence of the process. Nothing less will suffice.