Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory facts for kids
The Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory is like the main leader for a special area called the British Indian Ocean Territory. This territory is an overseas territory that belongs to the United Kingdom. The King or Queen of the UK chooses the Commissioner, with advice from a government department that handles foreign affairs.
The Commissioner does not live in the territory itself. This is because there have been no local people living there since the 1970s. The only people who live there are military members from the United States and the United Kingdom. They are stationed at a joint military base on an island called Diego Garcia.
What the Commissioner Does
The Commissioner's main job is to manage the British Indian Ocean Territory for the UK government. This means they are in charge of making any necessary rules and laws for the area. These laws are usually made through special government orders.
The Commissioner also works closely with the military of the United States regarding anything that affects the territory. An Administrator for the British Indian Ocean Territory helps the Commissioner with their duties. The Commissioner also chooses a representative to be on the territory. This person is usually the highest-ranking British military officer at Diego Garcia.
Past Commissioners
Here is a list of the people who have served as Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory:
- 1965–1967: The Earl of Oxford and Asquith
- 1967–1969: Sir Hugh Selby Norman-Walker
- 1969–1973: Sir Bruce Greatbatch
- 1973–1976: Colin Hamilton Allan
- 1976: Norman Aspin
- 1976–1979: Philip Robert Aked Mansfield
- 1979–1982: John Adam Robson
- 1982–1985: William Nigel Wenban-Smith
- 1985–1988: William Marsden
- 1988–1991: Richard John Smale Edis
- 1991–1994: Thomas George Harris
- 1994–1996: David Ross MacLennan
- 1996–1998: Bruce Harry Dinwiddy
- 1998: Christopher Edward John Wilton
- 1998–2001: Charles John Branford White
- 2001–2004: Alan Edden Huckle
- 2004–2006: Anthony Campbell Crombie
- 2006–2008: Robert Leigh Turner
- 2008–2012: Colin Roberts
- 2012–2016: Dr Peter Richard Hayes
- 2016–2017: John Kittmer
- 2017–2021: Benjamin Robert Merrick
- 2021–2024: Paul Candler
- 2024–present: Nishi Dholakia
See also
In Spanish: Comisionado del Territorio Británico del Océano Índico para niños
