British government unaware of Reform UK leader Farage's visit to Maldives
British sources claim they were unaware of Nigel Farage’s presence in the Maldives, despite his allegations in a video filmed locally that the UK government pressured Maldivian authorities to block his travel to the Chagos Islands. Farage’s attempted journey is part of his ongoing campaign against the decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.
Nigel Paul Farage has posted a video on X claiming that Maldivian 'search parties' are attempting to track him down in an effort to obstruct his journey to the Chagos Islands. | Getty Images | getty images
Reform UK leader Nigel Paul Farage has been accused of pulling "mega stunts" following his claims that the British government blocked him from traveling to the British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Islands, on a humanitarian mission.
The leader of Reform UK stated that he traveled to the Maldives to join a delegation supporting four Chagos Islanders who are attempting to settle on one of the archipelago's islands in protest against the British government's policy of transferring control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
In a video posted to X on Saturday, Farage stated that the British government had obstructed his planned travel.
Farage stated that the British government is exerting influence over the President and the Government of the Maldives to prevent him from traveling to the Chagos Islands by boat.
Farage further stated that if he were an ISIS fighter crossing the English Channel into the United Kingdom, the British government would ignore his actions and instead provide him with hotel accommodation and three meals a day.
However, it has been revealed that the British government had no prior information regarding Farage’s plans to travel to Chagos, nor were they aware of his presence in the Maldives until he made those remarks on Saturday.
Reports indicate that Farage arrived in the Maldives via private jet. After spending less than a day in the country, he returned to the United Kingdom to attend a by-election in Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester.
Farage's visit coincides with Donald Trump raising concerns over the United Kingdom's agreement regarding the Chagos Islands. The U.S. President-elect has urged Keir Starmer not to "give up" Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, which houses a strategic joint UK-US military base.
According to government sources reported by The Guardian last week, the U.S. President expressed dissatisfaction with the current agreement after the United Kingdom refused to grant permission for its military bases to be used in a potential strike against Iran.
During the 1960s and 1970s, approximately 2,000 residents of Chagos were forcibly displaced to make way for a military base. These individuals currently reside in Mauritius and the United Kingdom. Many of those displaced continue to express a profound desire to return to their homeland.
Farage stated that he intended to travel to the same island visited on Monday by three activists—original inhabitants of Chagos who had returned to settle there.
Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace dismissed Farage’s actions as a "cheap stunt," accusing him of being someone who frequently orchestrates "mega stunts." He further emphasized that Farage must respect the stringent regulations governing entry into the British Indian Ocean Territory.
According to the UK Foreign Office website, the British Indian Ocean Territory is not a tourist destination. There are no commercial flights to the territory, and unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited. Access is granted only to those who have obtained prior permission.
Farage told the Daily Telegraph on Saturday that a source within the Maldivian government had contacted him by phone to warn that British authorities did not want him traveling to the Chagos Islands.
In a two-and-a-half-minute video clip posted on X, Farage emphasized that he is not only a Member of the British Parliament but also the leader of a political party currently leading in the polls. He alleged that the British government and the High Commissioner to the Maldives are doing everything in their power to obstruct him, claiming that groups have been deployed to track him down with the intent of preventing his departure.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated that the current priority is the safe relocation of individuals from an island deemed unfit for human habitation. The spokesperson further noted that the location poses a significant risk to life, particularly in the event of a medical emergency or severe weather conditions.
