West Sussex County Council has demanded the Foreign Office take responsibility for a group of 30 stranded British citizens from the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.
The Diego Garcians have full British passports granted under the Overseas Territories Act 2002.

They came to Britain on 22 June. Two weeks later they ran out of money, became homeless and appealed to three councils who all denied responsibility. Two weeks after that, the High Court ruled that West Sussex council should put them up until 1 August (HT 25 July, page 10).

The council has agreed to keep the group in temporary housing until 1 September, at a cost of £30,000. Then they will have to support themselves or will be flown home at the council's expense.

We believe central government should meet the bill

Allen Vincatassin, unofficial leader of the Diego Garcian group

But in a furious letter to foreign secretary Jack Straw, it demanded the Foreign Office take responsibility for these people and the 5000 of their compatriots who, it is thought, are likely to follow them to Britain.

Allen Vincatassin, the group's unofficial leader, said he would also be lobbying government. He said: "We believe central government must meet the bill [for benefits]."

Source

Housing Today