MPs push for answers over Chagos phone hacking fears

The government has been pressed to provide answers after leaked recordings sparked fears the British High Commission in Mauritius had its phones hacked around the time the UK opened negotiations for the handover of the Chagos Islands.

- MILLIE COOKE, DAVID MADDOX

On Sunday, The Independent revealed that British high commissioner Charlotte Pierre was hit in a huge leak of purported phone conversations between high-profile Mauritian figures. Pressure is now building on the government to address the potential security breach.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary asked: “It has been reported today that there is an investigation underway into a major hack of the British commission’s phones during the Chagos Island talks. What action is the government taking to address this potentially major security breach?”

Responding, foreign office minister Stephen Doughty said: “In regard to the points you raised about in the media, alleged hacks, those are subject to an ongoing police investigation in Mauritius, so I don’t want to comment. But my understanding is they’re historic, rather than relating to the recent negotiation period.”