Could the Falklands or Gibraltar be next to go? Keir Starmer's decision to surrender UK control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius sparks debate about future sovereignty of other British Overseas Terr

When did Britain take control of the Chagos Islands?

In the 1700s, a small number of French colonists settled on the uninhabited Chagos Islands and developed coconut plantations there.

They imported slaves from Africa to work on the plantations.

And when French administration was replaced by the British at the end of the Napoleonic wars in the 19th century, the former slaves took over the coconut oil business and developed their own economy.

As the years progressed, several generations of Chagos islanders developed a common language and culture.

For administrative purposes, Britain grouped the Chagos Archipelago and several other islands together with Mauritius.

When and why did Britain forcibly remove the inhabitants of the Chagos Islands?

In 1965, when Mauritius began negotiating its independence, Britain paid £3million to keep Chagos and a few other islands out of the settlement.

A year later, Britain signed Diego Garcia over to the United States on a 50-year lease, for use as a military base.

It was considered a useful strategic site during the Cold War, when the sea movements of the Soviet Union were of key interest.

However, the 1,000 Chagos Islanders were never informed of the changes.

They were also not aware that once a US military base was established, their presence would not be tolerated.

In 1973, the British Government cleared the Chagos Archipelago of its inhabitants to make way for both the US base and its own installation.

Dogs, including pets, were rounded up and killed.

Some islanders who were sent to Mauritius ended up unemployed and living in slums.

The UK did grant citizenship to some Chagossians in 2002, and many of them came to live in the UK.

The US's 50-year lease was rolled over and is now set to expire in 2036.

Its base is strategically crucial as a staging post for ships and air power.

For how long has British sovereignty of the Chagos Islands been disputed?

Chagossians have fought for years to return to the land.

A handful of islanders repeatedly took the British government to court.

In 2016, the Supreme Court ruled that residents who were forcibly removed could not return.

Mauritius has long maintained that its islands are its own.

In 2021, United Nations' highest court has ruled that the UK's control of the territory is 'unlawful'.

It said the Chagos Islands should be handed over to Mauritius.