The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed that police in Mauritius are investigating after audio of apparent discussions between the British high commissioner Charlotte Pierre and other political figures was featured on a Mauritian Facebook page of an account called Missie Moustass (Mr Moustache).
The clips are claimed to feature a conversation between Ms Pierre and local businessman Ken Arian, the chief executive of Airport Holdings, who has recently welcomed the “decolonisation” of the Chagos Islands. Sources told The Independent that the conversation is thought to have taken place in around October or November 2022, meaning it is likely to have occurred towards the start of the negotiations over the Indian Ocean islands.
At one point, Ms Pierre can be heard saying: “I don’t have a prime minister at the moment,” adding, “You know what, I can say it now but we haven’t had a prime minister for two months.” This was around the time Liz Truss was forced to resign as prime minister, not long after she had initiated the Chagos talks.
The Chagos issue is sensitive due to the secretive joint UK-US airbase on Diego Garcia (the largest island in the Chagos archipelago). The deal struck by the government allows the UK to retain the facility for the next 100 years, but there are concerns that the agreement will open up the islands to Chinese interference.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 21, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 21, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Why Is Starmer So Against An EU Youth Travel Scheme?
The prime minister has once again been urged to agree to a limited scheme to allow young people to travel freely between the UK and the EU for the purposes of work or study, and has once again signalled his refusal to consider it.
Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.
“The tour is only a matter of hours old, but the wry thought occurs to me that reputations will almost certainly be destroyed in the next few months.”
North can't compete with south's individual X factor
Ex-Lions captain Sam Warburton has a theory why southern hemisphere teams have dominated the autumn internationals
Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus
Aston Villa and Unai Emery have run out of ideas, far too early in the Spaniard’s previously exhilarating revolution.
Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not
A few weeks ago, it was possible to look at Arne Slot’s seemingly impressive start at Liverpool, adopt a sceptical tone and ask who they had really beaten.
Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules
Electric vehicles aren't selling in the volume anticipated and James Moore says government is right to order a swift review
Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money
Nationwide has gained £2.3bn following its acquisition of Virgin Money, according to the firm’s half-year results.
Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver
Two Britons who were on the yacht remain unaccounted for
Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope
Transport chaos and power cuts hit city as two die on roads
Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths
Arrest warrant requested by International Criminal Court
