In a surprising turn of events, Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has been compelled to withdraw his Chagos Islands bill from the House of Lords, following a backlash from the United States over the deal. The legislation, which was set to be debated in the upper chamber on Monday, has now been delayed due to concerns that it could breach a treaty with the US that asserts the UK’s sovereignty over the archipelago.
The government has accused the peers of interfering with Britain’s national security, describing their actions as “irresponsible and reckless behaviour.” The delay comes after former US President Donald Trump made a U-turn on the agreement earlier this week, criticising the move and calling it “an act of great stupidity.”
The proposed deal would have led Britain to give up the territory and lease back the strategically important Diego Garcia Military Base, which has been used by UK and US forces since the 1970s. However, the Conservatives have suggested that this would break a UK-US treaty signed in 1966, which enshrines the UK’s sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.
With promised updates to the 1966 agreement yet to materialise, the Tories tabled a motion in the Lords on Friday morning, demanding a delay in the treaty’s ratification for fear of otherwise breaking international law. The Telegraph reported that the legislation underpinning the deal, which was set to go back to the upper chamber for further scrutiny on Monday, will no longer be returning there.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch stated that the deal could “not progress while this issue remains unresolved,” adding that “Keir Starmer has tried to hide behind the cover of international law, now the Conservatives are exposing that his shameful surrender may be illegal.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel also criticised Starmer, saying, “He is happy to hand over British sovereign territory and £35bn of taxpayers’ money to an ally of China – even if it conflicts with international law.” She accused Starmer of allowing his “desire to appease Beijing” to cloud his judgement.
The government has remained committed to the deal, stating that the Diego Garcia Military Base is “vital for our national security.” However, the withdrawal of the Chagos Islands bill has dealt a significant blow to Starmer’s efforts to secure the territory’s future.
