Chagossian Britons Karen Merle and Steeve Mandarin have branded Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's Chagos deal a "betrayal", as they told GB News locals could be "homeless" as a result of the Labour leader's controversial handover.Announcing the deal last week, the Prime Minister defended the agreement as a key contribution to Britain's security ties with the US, insisting there was "no alternative".FULL STORY HERE.
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00:00I don't know if you could hear that there, but the situation is that people fleeing Mauritius because of a policy change made by the Labour government are coming into Hillingdon, and it's going to be very, very difficult to house them.
00:12How does that make you feel? Karen, could I start with you? People fleeing a policy decision, they could be homeless. How do you feel?
00:19Yes. We fled. We are fleeing Mauritius because of the criminal code, and we have so many discriminations there. We don't have opportunity to have a good job. We don't have the chance to have a good life there.
00:43We are, we are, there are people, black people is not safe in Mauritius. We are. When, when, when, when they know where, that, that, that we are, we are Sargoshan, we are not safe in Mauritius.
01:01It's an incredible situation, Steve Mandarine. Your beautiful brother was on the show last week. I was absolutely moved to tears. I was literally moved to tears by him. What an astonishing individual.
01:10Sargoshans are proud Brits. Let's be frank. Do you consider yourselves British? I think you guys are British as me. And yet, a British Prime Minister seems to be turning his back on your community. How do you feel?
01:23Yes, basically, it's a betrayal to the British people, the taxpayers, and to the Sargoshans. Because this deal doesn't benefit anyone. It doesn't benefit the British people. It doesn't benefit the country.
01:36The only thing that this deal is serving is serving Mauritius. And now, today, we found out the embassy, the Chinese embassy in Mauritius, just congratulate Mauritius on securing that deal.
01:51And they are looking forward to work on their trade agreement.
01:53And a lot of people, a lot of people, very fearful of Beijing getting closer to Mauritius, because, hey, 99 years to the Chinese, it's a blink of an eyelid.
02:04Exactly. And it is a strategic place, where it is right in the middle of the Indian Ocean. And basically, we feel like this government doesn't listen to us at all.
02:16OK, Steve and Karen, could I get a clip on screen now sent to me by Vanessa?
02:23Yes.
02:23And this is of Chagossians. Your brother, Misle, was saying that he will now stand for Nigel Farage.
02:30Seems that Chagossians may be supporting Nigel Farage, because, of course, the Reform Party has said that they might try and tear this deal up and reverse it.
02:39An incredible situation. Do you guys feel also that you'll be back in reform?
02:42I believe that reform is doing a great job, right, trying to bring the country together and helping those who basically don't have a voice, because our voice and our human right was taken from us.
02:56Karen, what about you? I mean, it seems an unlikely political movement. Of course, people always say Nigel Farage is against immigration.
03:04Yeah, he's been one of the few politicians that have stuck up for you guys.
03:07Because I know that he supports, like you say, I know he's with us.
03:24He's on your side.
03:32Yes.
03:32You feel like he's on your side. And I think that's something that's come through with all the Chagossians that have come into this studio.
03:39I feel abandoned by the establishment. Thank you very, very much, Karen and Steve.
03:43Thank you. Thank you so much.
03:43Pleasure to have your company. Thanks for coming to the studio tonight.