Chagos Islands descendants can apply to become British nationals

New route offers children of those born on islands right to be British overseas territory citizens or British citizens

Descendants of people born in the Chagos Islands will have a new route to British nationality, the government has announced.

Direct descendants of Chagossians who were born on the islands that now form part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and who are not already Britishoverseas territory citizens (BOTCs) or British citizens, will be able to apply for both forms of British nationality, the Home Office said.