The British government has faced a backlash over its decision to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Robert Jenrick, a Tory leadership contender, has accused Foreign Secretary David Lammy of making the move simply to “feel good about himself at his next North London dinner party.”
In a parliamentary debate, Jenrick said: “We’ve just handed sovereign British territory to a small island nation which is an ally of China – and we’re paying for the privilege. All so that the foreign secretary can feel good about himself at his next North London dinner party.”
The government announced on Thursday that the strategically important Indian Ocean archipelago would be transferred to Mauritius, after being in British hands since 1814. This decision has come under fire, with Sir Keir Starmer facing criticism for the move being announced during parliamentary recess without MPs having a say.
However, it is understood the handover will require an Act of Parliament, which will therefore need to be approved in the Commons. Tory MPs have accused the government of “undermining the rights of the Chagossian people” and “violating the principle of self-determination.”
Andrew Rosindell, the Conservative MP for Romford, said: “This is a shameful day for British democracy. This is a dark moment for human rights in the United Kingdom. This Government is handing their home over to a foreign country in cahoots with a hostile nation.”
The fallout over the Chagos Islands decision is the latest political headache for the new Labour government, which is facing growing criticism over its handling of various issues in its first three months in office.
