Story perspectives

Chagos Islanders Evicted as Hillingdon Faces Bankruptcy Crisis

10/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Chagos Islands have been British since 1814 and became a UK overseas territory in 1965 after Britain bought the archipelago from Mauritius.
Islanders were evicted between 1967 and 1973 to establish a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council cabinet member, says the council risks bankruptcy after planning to cut £38 million in spending.
Tuckwell urges the government to alleviate the financial burden on local taxpayers.

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Story summary

The Chagos Islands have been British since 1814 and became a UK overseas territory in 1965 after Britain bought the archipelago from Mauritius.
Islanders were evicted between 1967 and 1973 to establish a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council cabinet member, says the council risks bankruptcy after planning to cut £38 million in spending.
Tuckwell urges the government to alleviate the financial burden on local taxpayers.