UN champions Mauritian control of Chagos Islands by rejecting UK stamps

Refusal to recognise British Indian Ocean Territory stamps is latest move to assert Mauritian sovereignty

Stamps issued by the British Indian Ocean Territory could soon be rendered invalid after the United Nations' Universal Postal Union (UPU) council recommended they no longer be recognised, in the latest step rejecting the UK's claim to the Chagos Islands.

The move by the UPU, the second oldest international organisation, is in recognition of Mauritian sovereignty over the strategically important islands in the Indian Ocean and is the first of what is likely to be many by UN specialised agencies, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and International Monetary Fund.