Andy Burnham has doubled down on Labour’s plans to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite Donald Trump’s repeated suggestions that he would block the deal.
Behind closed doors, the Prime Minister reassured the ally of China that Britain remains committed to giving up the archipelago – even if they have to wait until after the US President leaves office.
Back in May 2025, Sir Keir Starmer settled a deal to give up the sovereign territory despite the Chagossians impassioned campaign to bring the “surrender” to a screeching halt.
Now, Mr Burnham has spoken to the Prime Minister of Mauritius ahead of meeting Mr Trump at the UN General Assembly tomorrow.
Navin Ramgoolam held a phone call with Mr Burnham ahead of a face-to-face meeting in New York tomorrow.
Speaking about Mr Burnham’s upcoming agenda, Nigel Farage said: “I have it on good authority that the PM will tomorrow at midday be speaking to the Mauritian Prime Minister.”
Earlier this month, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting reiterated the Government remained “committed” to the deal.
He further confirmed he was working “closely” with the US, which has repeatedly and publicly opposed the deal.
Andy Burnham, alongside his wife, has set off for New York
|
PA
Mr Trump previously slammed the deal as an “act of great stupidity” in an extraordinary outburst when Sir Keir attempted to cede the islands to the Mauritius as Labour leader.
But the US Commander-in-Chief has refused to give up.
Earlier that same week, the President told GB News the Chagos deal was “terrible”.
“It was like they were giving it to people that nobody even knows if they have any right to it,” he said.
MORE ON THE CHAGOS ‘SURRENDER’:
The Chagos Islands is home to the strategically important joint US-UK Diego Garcia military base, currently being used to refuel and service fighter jets striking Iran.
Sir Keir’s deal would hand the islands to Mauritius while spending £101million annually for 99 years to lease back the military base.
The staggering costs would put the total pricetag at £34billion in nominal terms while opponents of the deal have suggested it could cost closer to £50billion.
MORE TO FOLLOW…
Leave a Reply