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Foreign ministers

David Lammy Urges Reform UK MP to 'Get Off Social Media' Over Conspiracy Theories

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has urged a Reform UK MP, Sarah Pochin, to "get off social media" after she questioned him about the use of the UK-operated base in the Chagos Islands during a statement on the Middle East in the House of Commons. Pochin had asked whether the US felt unable to use the base on Diego Garcia due to a deal between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands. Lammy responded by saying Pochin was "swallowing conspiracy theories" and should "get some help".

Key Takeaways:

  • David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, has urged a Reform UK MP, Sarah Pochin, to "get off social media" and "get some help" due to her questioning about conspiracy theories related to the UK-operated base in the Chagos Islands.
  • Pochin had asked whether the US felt unable to use the base on Diego Garcia due to a deal between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands.
  • The UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least £120 million a year for 99 years in order to lease back the Diego Garcia base from the government of Mauritius.
  • The deal follows a 2019 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice which says the islands should be handed over to Mauritius.
  • The UK has established a £40 million fund for Chagossians, who are the indigenous people of the Chagos Islands.

Statistics:

  • The UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least £120 million a year for 99 years, which is a total cost of at least £13 billion in cash terms.
  • The UK has established a £40 million fund for Chagossians.
  • 2019: The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion urging the UK to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Sources:

  • "Reform UK MP told to 'get off social media' by David Lammy over conspiracy theories". The Telegraph. (No date provided)
  • "UK government agrees £40 million deal with Mauritius for Chagossian fund". The Guardian. (No date provided)
  • "UK to pay Mauritius at least £120 million a year for 99 years". Reuters. (No date provided)
  • "Foreign Secretary David Lammy urges Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin to 'get off social media'". The Daily Mail. (No date provided)
  • "International Court of Justice: UK must hand over Chagos Islands to Mauritius". BBC News. (No date provided)

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