Cable’s compassion is in “error”

By Kieran Roberts / @kieranlroberts

I wrote last week that in a reply from the FCO, it was revealed that the coalition had reversed their pre-election pledge and were going to continue to contest the case against the Chagos Islanders returning home.

Well now, in the second reversal in a month, Vince Cable in response to a constituent has said this:

“I remain committed to ensuring that the plight of the islanders is resolved in a just and fair way. The Liberal Democrats have actively supported their cause in the past and we will continue to aid their campaign to see justice done.”

“The coalition government are dropping the case in the European Court of Human Rights opting for a friendly settlement. The previous Government were trying to uphold the expulsion.”

This is in massive contrast to what the FCO said on August 17th when they stated the government would continue to contest the case in the ECoHR because of the “clear and compelling” arguments for defence and security.

To add to this, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills released a statement hours later saying Cable’s letter was an “error.” So his commitment to “ensuring that the plight of the islanders is resolved in a just and fair way” is in error? Needless to say, its yet another shambles with unfair and potentially devastating consequences.

So who is speaking for the government? The FCO or Vince Cable? I’m hoping the latter, but either way, this is substantial progress in the campaign for the Chagossians.

Now we need to increase the pressure on the Government: please sign our petition.

Kieran Roberts is the Director of Labour Friends of Chagos Islanders.