1815: UK gains Chagos Islands.
1965: UK begins to depopulate the islands.
1966: UK secretly leases Diego Garcia to US.
1971: The US Navy begins construction of the military base.
1973: Last of islanders removed.
1976: First court action begun against the UK government.
1991 onwards: US uses Diego Garcia base in actions against Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan.
1999: Islanders granted permission to fight for the right to return.
2000: Islanders win partial right to return. The UK and US stall.
2003: Chagossians denied right to return to Diego Garcia.
2004: Blair uses "orders in council" to ban the islanders' return.
Right to appeal 2003 ruling is denied.
2006: 2004 orders in council overturned.