Islanders camp out at Gatwick

Islanders were exiled from Diego Garcia 30 years ago

Thirty people from the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia have camped out in Gatwick Airport terminal to protest at their treatment by the British Authorities.

The group from the island of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago want to stay in Crawley in West Sussex.

The islanders, who are British citizens, were forced to leave the island in the 1970s when it was taken over by the British government for a British and American military base.

They were exiled to Mauritius, but now high unemployment there has prompted them to travel to Britain.

These people have been sacrificed because of military plans Alan Vincatassin, Diego Garcian Island Council

Last year 19 islanders flew to Gatwick and were given emergency accommodation in Crawley.

But the new arrivals, who also want to live in Crawley, have encountered problems because they flew into Heathrow and then transferred to Gatwick.

Alan Vincatassin, from the Diego Garcian Island Council, said: "These people have been sacrificed because of military plans.

"I believe they should be given big priority and good support and care because they are the sacrifice for defence policy in the world."

West Sussex County Council said it was not legally responsible for the islanders, but said it was trying to resolve the problem.

A London court ruled in 2000 that the islanders' deportation had been illegal and their ultimate aim is to return to Diego Garcia.

They hope to live in Britain first to try and earn enough money to go back.

A High Court ruling is due in few weeks time to see whether the islanders can return to Diego Garcia.