Sign in Subscribe
Starmer, Keir

UK's Chagos Islands Deal Sparks Controversy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Tory leadership contender Kemi Badenoch has claimed US President Donald Trump is "laughing" at Labour's deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, arguing it is a "wasteful" and "dangerous" agreement that benefits the US at the expense of the UK. The deal, which will see the UK meet the cost of the lease to maintain control of the vital Diego Garcia military base, has been met with criticism from the Tory leader and the White House has expressed support for the agreement. Meanwhile, the UK's armed forces minister, Luke Pollard, has rejected claims of "dodgy accounting" and argued that the cost of the deal is £3.4 billion over 99 years and represents good value.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK's deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will cost £3.4 billion over 99 years, according to Labour's Sir Keir Starmer.
  • The true cost of the deal is likely to exceed £30 billion due to rising inflation and additional schemes to fund development projects in Mauritius.
  • US President Donald Trump is said to be "laughing" at the deal, which he believes was negotiated by Labour at the expense of the UK.
  • The deal has been labelled "wasteful" and "dangerous" by Tory leadership contender Kemi Badenoch.
  • The US will continue to cover operating costs of the Diego Garcia military base, while the UK will meet the cost of the lease.
  • The White House has expressed support for the deal, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the agreement "secures the long-term, stable and effective operation of the joint US-UK military facility at Diego Garcia".
  • Luke Pollard, the UK's armed forces minister, has rejected claims of "dodgy accounting" and arguing that the cost of the deal is £3.4 billion over 99 years and represents good value.

Statistics:

  • The deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will cost £101 million annually, according to Labour's Sir Keir Starmer.
  • The true cost of the deal is likely to exceed £30 billion due to rising inflation and additional schemes to fund development projects in Mauritius.
  • The US pays "many multiples more" than the UK to operate the Diego Garcia military base.
  • The deal will see the UK lease the base for 99 years at a cost of £3.4 billion.
  • The White House has expressed support for the deal, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that it "secures the long-term, stable and effective operation of the joint US-UK military facility at Diego Garcia".

Sources:

  • BBC Breakfast programme, cited by Kemi Badenoch.
  • Times Radio, cited by Luke Pollard.
  • Sky News, cited by Luke Pollard.
  • The White House, cited by Marco Rubio.
  • The International Court of Justice, cited by Labour.

Read more