Donald Trump 'must approve' Britain's plan to give up sovereignty over Chagos Islands to Mauritius, Tories warn

By KUMAIL JAFFER, SENIOR FOREIGN REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Ministers must wait for Donald Trump's approval before surrendering the Chagos Islands, the Conservatives have said.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge used an Urgent Question in Parliament yesterday to question why the government appeared to be in such a 'rush' to get the deal done.

New Mauritian prime minister Navin Ramgoolam has asked for an independent review of the 'confidential draft agreement agreed so far' which sees the UK cede sovereignty over the islands.

But while ministers insisted the deal has the full support of the current US administration, Reform leader and Trump ally Nigel Farage claimed the President-Elect's incoming team are 'appalled' by the deal.

Mr Cartlidge said: 'Can the minister confirm if it really is the case that their policy is to try and rush through their Chagos deal before President Trump's inauguration? Does he not see how that would be hugely disrespectful to the new administration and President Trump's democratic mandate?

'Whilst we would prefer the Government to cancel the whole deal, at the very least, will he pause any further ratification until the new US administrations in place, and the Mauritius government have concluded their review?'

Senior Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin added: 'What's the rush? Why is the honourable member in such a hurry to get this done? It would be to the government's advantage to allow this House to debate the agreed text in public before it is signed. It stretches incredulity to tell the House that there have been no discussions at all with the incoming administration at all.'

Under the agreement, the UK will hand over sovereignty of the islands while retaining control over a joint UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia, for an 'initial period' of 99 years. 

President-elect Trump. Ministers must wait for Donald Trump's approval before surrendering the Chagos Islands, the Conservatives have said

President-elect Trump. Ministers must wait for Donald Trump's approval before surrendering the Chagos Islands, the Conservatives have said

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge used an Urgent Question in Parliament yesterday to question why the government appeared to be in such a 'rush' to get the deal done

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge used an Urgent Question in Parliament yesterday to question why the government appeared to be in such a 'rush' to get the deal done

Under the agreement, the UK will hand over sovereignty of the islands while retaining control over a joint UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia (pictured) for an 'initial period' of 99 years

Under the agreement, the UK will hand over sovereignty of the islands while retaining control over a joint UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia (pictured) for an 'initial period' of 99 years

Defence minister Luke Pollard claimed the deal is 'strongly supported' by the US and protects the long-term future of the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia.

He added: 'It has been supported by all relevant US departments and agencies following a rigorous scrutiny process.

'It would not have been possible to secure a deal and the support of the United States if all parts of the US security apparatus were not in support of this deal.'

'It's quite normal for any new government to look at a deal signed by their predecessors. When they look at the deal, the detail of this deal will be convincing - just as it will be for our US friends because it's a deal backed by the entirety of the US security apparatus.'

But Mr Farage, who has previously warned about the reaction of the incoming Trump administration to the deal, said the agreement 'would not survive'. He asked: 'Hasn't the time come for the Government to admit this is a rotten deal for the UK, a rotten deal for America and an even worse deal for the Chagossians?'

ConservativesDonald TrumpNigel Farage

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