Sir Keir Starmer signs deal to deport illegal immigrants to remote Atlantic island

Sending immigrants to the Chagos Islands and beyond

Sir Keir Starmer has signed a controversial deal similar to Rwanda's, aiming to deport illegal small boat arrivals to the Chagos Islands in the Atlantic. These immigrants will then be sent 5,000 miles away to another British territory, St Helena.

Political backlash and accusations of hypocrisy

This decision comes in the wake of the Prime Minister dismissing the Rwanda deal as an "expensive gimmick" and facing criticism for handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, potentially impacting the UK's global reputation. Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick accused Sir Keir of hypocrisy, claiming that the Labour government's actions prioritize party politics over national interests.

Concerns over the impact on St Helena

St Helena councillor Andrew Turner expressed concerns about the potential influx of migrants to the island, highlighting the challenges that the small community of 4,500 residents would face in accommodating them. He emphasized that such a cultural shock could have significant repercussions for the island.

Government's stance on the deportation

A government spokesperson defended the decision, stating that the Chagos Islands were not a sustainable long-term solution for migrants and that the move was essential to safeguard the integrity of British territorial borders.