GUERNSEYMAN and human rights campaigner Jon Castle, pictured, is on his way back to the UK after being arrested off the Chagos Islands.

Mr Castle, 56, and fellow campaigner Pete Bouquet were held while campaigning for the rights of the islanders of Diego Garcia, an atoll in the Indian Ocean. They were flown to Singapore on Saturday and are due back this week.

Long-time friend Anne Sandwith said she had spoken to Mr Castle, 56, while he was under arrest at a police station. As skipper of the Musichana, he has been charged with violation of immigration laws to which he has pleaded not guilty. Mr Castle and Mr Bouquet, who has not been charged with any offence, were protesting against the islanders being forced to leave their home 40 years ago so that the US military could use it as a base.

* More information on Mr Castle’s protest can be found at www.peoplesnavy.com.