Islanders appeal to Labour candidates to reverse David Miliband decision

Exiled islanders from an archipelago in the Indian Ocean have intervened in the Labour leadership race by calling on candidates to oppose a decision – taken by David Miliband in his last weeks as foreign secretary – to declare their homeland a marine reserve. They have sent an open letter to the five leadership contenders, urging them to oppose or reconsider Miliband's decision to declare the Chagos islands a marine protection area. The government decision infuriated neighbouring countries, native Chagossians and MPs. The Chagos Islands are part of the British Indian Ocean Territory and were occupied by the Chagossians – many of whom were shipped in to work on plantations – from the late 18th century. In the mid-1960s, the government began to deport them forcibly, clearing the way for a US airbase on Diego Garcia. Most of the islanders were removed to nearby Mauritius and the Seychelles. A large community also lives in Crawley, West Sussex, near Gatwick airport. The Chagossians won a high court judgment in 2000 permitting them to return to 65 of the islands – excluding Diego Garcia – but have been prevented from doing so by royal prerogative. Two years ago they suffered a further setback when the House of Lords overturned the high court ruling. They are appealing to the European court of human rights, but believe the establishment of a protection area, by banning fishing in the islands, would effectively bar them from ever returning. The only leadership candidate to lend them public support so far is Diane Abbott.