Council unprepared for Chagossian arrivals - ex-MP

The former MP for Crawley has blamed the local council for Chagos Islanders arriving in the UK being forced to live in makeshift accommodation at a community centre.

About 70 Chagossians arrived at Gatwick Airport on flights from Mauritius and went to Crawley Borough Council's HQ on 10 June.

Some were temporarily housed at the K2 leisure centre, but almost half are still living at the Northgate Community Centre, despite an eviction notice being served.

Former Conservative MP Henry Smith said the council has had two years to plan a response, but the authority said it was experiencing a housing crisis and had warned the previous government about the risk of mass arrivals.

Government guidance for Chagossians moving to the UK is they should make accommodation arrangements before travelling.

The residents of Chagos, a British overseas territory, were evicted between 1967 and 1973 to create a joint UK/US military base.

As British passport holders they are allowed to enter the UK but do not qualify for the support refugees and asylum seekers receive.

Mr Smith, who stood down as MP for Crawley in July, told BBC Radio Sussex: "It's something that could and should have been avoided.

"Over the last two years there should have been better planning, principally by Crawley Borough Council. They should have expected those individuals to turn up."

One of those now living in the community centre, Mary Douce, said: “I needed to come here because in Mauritius there are no opportunities for us.

“We aim to have a better life but when we came here it was a bit like a nightmare.”

It is understood families with children have been accommodated in hotels, but the 33 in Northgate are considered low priority because they are working age.

The hall has been turned into a dormitory and has no showers or cooking facilities, only toilets and a sink and kettle.

Michael Jones, leader of Crawley Borough Council, said: “This crisis is the result of the scheme introduced by the previous Government. It is estimated more than 7,000 Chagossians could move to the UK.

“We have been warning the government about the implications of mass arrivals, and the likely scenarios that would follow, for the past two years."

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