Court puts last-minute block on signing of Chagos Islands deal

Bertice Pompe (left) and Bernadette Dugasse outside the High Court in central London (Yui Mok/PA) - (PA Wire)

A High Court judge has temporarily blocked the Government from concluding its deal on the Chagos Islands hours before it was expected to be signed off.

Downing Street insisted the deal, which would see Britain give up sovereignty of the island territory to Mauritius and lease back a crucial military base there, is the “right thing” but would not comment on the legal case.