I was there when Trump backed Starmer on Chagos. This is why his U-turn is so bizarre

"From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground."

"Sir Keir Starmer has in recent months shown he's no stranger to changing his mind. From farmers' inheritance tax to welfare reform, U-turns have become central to this Labour government, much to the frustration of Sir Keir's backbenchers. But none of the prime minister's backtracking has been so abrupt and so unexpected as Donald Trump's conclusion that the UK's deal to give away the Chagos Islands, with the crucial Diego Garcia airbase, to Mauritius."

"I was there in the Oval Office in February last year for that first meeting between Starmer and Trump. Shortly after Sir Keir handed over that invitation to Trump from the King for a historic second state visit, the US president took a question from a reporter on the controversial plan to hand over Chagos to Mauritius. Trump was expected to be sceptical, or even veto the plan, which"

The Independent covers issues from reproductive rights to climate change and Big Tech and sends reporters where stories develop. Donations fund journalists and keep reporting free to readers without paywalls, relying on supporters who can afford it. Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly U-turned on policies such as farmers' inheritance tax and welfare reform, causing frustration among his backbenchers. Donald Trump unexpectedly condemned the UK's plan to transfer the Chagos Islands, including the Diego Garcia airbase, to Mauritius, calling it an act of great stupidity. Less than a year earlier, Trump had been supportive after the plan was explained in a meeting between the leaders.

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