The UK government’s plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has hit a roadblock, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer delaying the move in the face of criticism from former US President Donald Trump. The deal, which was set to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday, has now been withdrawn amid concerns it could breach a treaty with the US that asserts the UK’s sovereignty over the archipelago.
Ministers have accused peers of “irresponsible and reckless behaviour” in response to the news, with sources insisting the bill will return. However, opponents claim the deal cannot move forward without support from the US.
The proposed handover would see the UK retain control of the Diego Garcia military base, which it leases to the US, in return for a 99-year lease and an annual fee of £101 million. The government argues this would secure the base’s long-term future and protect it from potential threats, such as China.
Trump, who previously appeared to support the deal, has now launched a scathing attack, labelling it an act of “great stupidity” and claiming there is “no reason whatsoever” for it to go ahead. The former president has also suggested the UK should instead focus on acquiring Greenland.
The Chagos Islands have long been a source of contention, with the UK’s sovereignty over the territory questioned by international law. In 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion finding that the UK had an “obligation” to return the islands to Mauritius, though this was not legally binding.
Starmer’s decision to delay the deal comes amid a backlash from Conservative peers, who have tabled an amendment calling for the government to ensure the agreement does not breach the 1966 treaty with the US. They also want to ensure the Chagossian people, who were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s and 1970s, have a formal say in the deal.
As the debate continues, the future of the Chagos Islands remains uncertain, with the UK government’s efforts to secure the Diego Garcia base’s long-term future now facing significant political and diplomatic challenges.
