Friends of the British Overseas Territories
U.K. charitable organization
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Friends of the British Overseas Territories (FOTBOT) is a political advocacy group based in the United Kingdom that seeks to raise awareness of the fourteen British Overseas Territories (BOTs) and raise funds for community projects. It has the backing of several prominent British politicians.
Flag of Friends of The British Overseas Territories | |
| Abbreviation | FOTBOT |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Type | Political Advocacy Group |
| Registration no. | 1156763 (England and Wales)[1] |
| Focus | British Overseas Territories |
| Location | |
Region served | United Kingdom and British Overseas Territories |
Chief Executive | James Lunn |
| Website | fotbot |
Foundation and development
The organisation was founded in 2013; initially as a vehicle to foster ties between the young people of the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories (BOTs).[2]
The South Atlantic news agency MercoPress has described FOTBOT as an organisation with charitable aims, founded mainly by students and other young people, that hosts political debates and organises fringe meetings at party political conferences.[3]
Political activity
FOTBOT has opposed the UN's decolonisation process, claiming that "there is no demand from any of the BOTS for a model of self-governance that would meet the UN's definition".[4] It has called for the BOTs "to have direct representation in the House of Commons as well as in the Lords."[5] but also holds the view that while the territories should remain British, they should be allowed "to pursue their economic, social and cultural development” independently of UK and international law.[6]
In 2016 FOTBOT argued that residents of all the BOTs, should have the same right as Gibraltans to vote in the EU referendum.[7] In 2018 it opposed the introduction of registers of beneficial ownership in the BOTs and accused the British Government of acting like "a colonial master" when it proposed them.[8] In 2021 FOTBOT lobbied for changes to the proposed Nationality and Borders Act 2022 to allow British citizenship by descent for the children of unmarried fathers born in the BOTs.[9] In 2026 the organisation opposed increases in remote gaming duty, claiming that they would have a "devastating impact" on the Gibraltar economy.[10]
In collaboration with Great British PAC,[11] FOTBOT campaigns against the transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The organisation stated on GB News that the islands "have been British since 1814 and we intend for them to remain that way".[12] In the Morning Star it was quoted as saying "we are working with a wide range of groups to unite against it."[13] FOTBOT describes the largest island, Diego Garcia, as an "unsinkable aircraft carrier"[14] and claims that the people expelled from the islands were not a "native population."[14] However, it believes that the descendants of those expelled should be "recognised as British Citizens and given reparations."[14]
Political allies
Several politicians have declared their support for the organisation, including Labour MP Sharon Hodgson,[15] Reform UK MP Andrew Rosindell,[16][17][18] Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, [19] and Julia Reid, a Reform UK member who was the UKIP MEP for the South West and Gibraltar.[20] In the House of Lords in 2024 Crossbencher Arlene Foster declared she was an advisor to FOTBOT.[21] In 2025, FOTBOT and Great British PAC carried out an online consultation of the Chagossian people, which was reported to the House of Lords by the Conservative Peer, Lord Callanan.[22]
Outreach work
The results of the 2025 online consultation were used to assist Chagossians opposed to the transfer of sovereignty to form a Chagos government in exile.[23] 1,300 people from the Chagossian diaspora participated.[24] In 2026 FOTBOT announced that for a period, all funds raised by it would be used to support legal action related to sovereignty of the Chagos islands.[25]
In February 2025 FOTBOT organised a visit to the Falkland Islands during which the delegation met local representatives, toured the Islands and hosted a reception.[26] FOTBOT has also sent delegations to St Helena and Gibraltar.[15]
In 2026, FOTBOT facilitated a visit by the Government of Montserrat’s UK Office to Northern Ireland during St Patrick’s week, aimed at strengthening links with political, civic and academic stakeholders in Belfast.[27]
Youth work
Established originally as a youth charity, FOTBOT oriented its early activities toward educating young people. This work facilitated short excursions for British students to BOTs, and provided opportunities for students from the BOTs to visit other British territories and study in the UK.[28] In 2018 FOTBOT was a partner in a project headed by geographer Stewart McPherson, Treasure Islands, designed to "showcase the wildlife, cultures and history of all of the UK Overseas Territories" by dispersing educative materials across the UK.[29] Historically, FOTBOT societies in at least two student unions, Cambridge and Newcastle have been affiliated.[30][31]
