TWO British women born in the Chagos Islands are set to bring legal action against the government, claiming it has unlawfully failed to give Chagossians a say in their homeland’s future.

Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, both born on Diego Garcia,  are challenging the Foreign Office over its proposed agreement to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The agreement includes leasing back the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia at British taxpayers’ expense.

Ms Dugasse and Ms Pompe say the islands should remain under British control and that Chagossians should have the right to return.

Chagossians were forcibly removed from the Indian Ocean territory in 1973 to make way for the military base, and access to the islands remains restricted.

Lawyers for the pair have sent a pre-action letter to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stating that the islands’ native inhabitants have been unlawfully excluded from the decision-making process.

The claimants also say that they do not trust Mauritius to treat Chagossians fairly. As British citizens without Mauritian nationality, they fear potential racial discrimination and legal obstacles to returning home.

Their barrister Michael Polak said: “The government’s attempt to give away the Chagossians’ homeland while failing to hold a formal consultation with the Chagossian people is a continuation of their terrible treatment by the authorities in the past.

“They remain the people with the closest connection to the islands, but their needs and wishes are being ignored.”

The Foreign Office has been asked to respond to the legal letter by March 25.

A spokesman said: “The negotiations were between the UK and Mauritius, with our priority being to secure the full operation of the base on Diego Garcia. However, we have worked to ensure this agreement reflects the importance of the islands to Chagossians.”