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The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 26 February 2026

Debate

Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory

Contribution

My Lords, the people who have found their way to some of the outer islands should not be there. It is not safe for them and they do not have permission. It is not legal for anybody to visit those islands without a permit. They do not have such a permit and they should leave immediately. It is deeply irresponsible that they are encouraging others to join them and there is a risk to life in doing so. I hope that they leave of their own accord safely, but promptly. The noble Lord is right that this base is of vital strategic importance. It is an expression of our incredibly close security and defence relationship with the United States, which is why we have gone to such lengths to secure the future of the base.

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