Starmer hands Chagos Islands back to Mauritius

US warships at Diego Garcia in 1985
US warships at Diego Garcia in 1985

Sir Keir Starmer has given up the Chagos Islands, handing the Indian Ocean territory to Mauritius.

The islands were British-owned from 1814 but have now been signed away by the Government in a deal that it claimed would safeguard global security by ending a long-running dispute.

The islands include Diego Garcia, which hosts a strategically important US-UK military base.

A joint statement by the Prime Minister and Pravind Jugnauth, his Mauritian counterpart, said: “Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.”

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said in a statement on Thursday that the agreement would still secure the “vital” military base for future use.

He said: “This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.

“Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future.

USAF B-1 Bombers at the air base on Diego Garcia
USAF B-1 Bombers at the air base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands

“It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner.”

All four Conservative leadership candidates – Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat – were quick to condemn Sir Keir’s decision.

Grant Shapps, a former defence secretary, said: “This is absolutely appalling. Surrendering sovereignty here creates read-across to other British bases. It’s a weak and deeply regrettable act from this government.”

Under Sir Tony Blair, Britain discussed a US request for permission to use Diego Garcia to house a Guantanamo Bay-style prison camp for hundreds of 500 terror detainees.

While the idea was rejected for being impractical, documents suggested that the CIA may have still used the island to fly suspects to secret “black site” prisons around the world.

The agreement was welcomed by Joe Biden, the US president, who said it would lead to “peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes”.

Mr Biden said: “I applaud the historic agreement and conclusion of the negotiations between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the status of the Chagos Archipelago.

“It is a clear demonstration that through diplomacy and partnership, countries can overcome long-standing historical challenges to reach peaceful and mutually beneficial outcomes.

“This agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while granting the United Kingdom the authority to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius with respect to Diego Garcia.

“Diego Garcia is the site of a joint US-UK military facility that plays a vital role in national, regional, and global security. It enables the United States to support operations that demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability, provide rapid response to crises, and counter some of the most challenging security threats we face. The agreement secures the effective operation of the joint facility on Diego Garcia into the next century.

“We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Mauritius and the United Kingdom in upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

A B-1B Lancer from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., lands after a Bomber Task Force mission at Naval Station Diego Garcia
A B-1B Lancer lands after a Bomber Task Force mission at Naval Station Diego Garcia - Alamy
Diego Garcia is the site of a joint US-UK military facility
Diego Garcia is the site of a joint US-UK military facility - Alamy

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, defended the deal on Thursday afternoon. He said: “This historic agreement highlights the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific. The UK-US base on Diego Garcia has a vital role in protecting our interests.

“By providing long-term sovereignty over Diego Garcia, this treaty secures continued operation of this major military base.”

The Foreign Office said the UK will be “authorised to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius on Diego Garcia”.

‘Labour are making the world more dangerous’

Lord Kempsell, a Tory peer who tabled a number of written questions on the issue over the summer, said: “I repeatedly raised the issue of British Indian Ocean Territory in Parliament because I was suspicious the Labour Government was about to do exactly what it has announced today.

“Ministers declined to update Parliament properly before taking this decision to give up sovereignty.”

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Tory leader who has been sanctioned by China, described the agreement as “astonishing”.

He said: “At the heart of this lies the real threat from China and we have a government of Mauritius that is very pro-China.

“If China gets involved with Mauritius, I cannot see how you can continue to use that place as it is now or how the Americans can either.

“The whole thing is a shambolic mess and I’m as much blaming the previous Conservative government for this as Labour.”

Mauritius and China struck a free trade agreement in 2021, the first of its kind between China and an African country.

Exports from Mauritius to China rose by 73 per cent that year, while officials have said they expect it to form the basis of “enhanced collaboration” in the years to come.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, told The Telegraph: “Giving up the Chagos Islands is a strategic disaster.

“Our American allies will be furious and Beijing delighted. Labour are making the world a more dangerous place.”