Sir Keir Starmer has defended a controversial £3.4 billion deal regarding the Chagos Islands, which involves handing sovereignty to Mauritius while retaining control over the key military base at Diego Garcia. The deal, praised for securing military intelligence and strategic capabilities, was criticized by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who questioned the rationale behind using British taxpayer money to support Mauritius's financial reforms. The arrangement, initially negotiated under a Conservative government, includes leasing the Diego Garcia base for 99 years with payments adjusted for inflation after the first thirteen years.
Sir Keir Starmer defended the UK's 3.4bn deal on Chagos Islands sovereignty to Mauritius, ensuring continued control of the vital US military base on Diego Garcia.
Kemi Badenoch criticized the Chagos Islands deal as irrelevant to national security, arguing against taxpayer funding for Mauritius's tax breaks.
The deal allows the UK to maintain a strategic military presence on Diego Garcia while transferring sovereignty of the surrounding Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Starmer emphasized that the deal secures long-term military capabilities on Diego Garcia, calling it necessary against the backdrop of opposing nations such as Russia and China.
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