The agreement to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which involves the UK paying £9 billion in lease payments, was initially approved by the Biden administration.
This decision has sparked a lot of debate and criticism, especially concerning Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Starmer has come under fire for his close friendship with a lawyer named Phillip Sands KC, who represented Mauritius in the dispute over the Chagos Islands.
Political commentator Madeline Grant spoke on GB News, expressing her concerns about Sands’ actions. She described Sands as “one of Starmer’s closest friends” and criticized his involvement in the case, calling it “treachery” and “traitorous behavior.” Grant questioned whether those in power were truly acting in the best interests of Britain. She also expressed confusion over the sudden urgency to give up sovereign territory.
During the GB News program, host Ben Leo revealed that Sands had traveled to the Chagos Islands without permission from the UK government. Sands was photographed raising the Mauritian flag on the islands and declaring, “It’s morning on Chagos, where the Mauritius flag flies, proving the rule of law is not only a dream.” This act further fueled the controversy surrounding the deal.
The Chagos Islands handover has been a hot topic of discussion, especially as it involves transferring sovereignty from the UK to Mauritius. Last October, Labour agreed to this transfer, with the condition that the UK would maintain a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia military airbase. However, Mauritius’ new Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, has criticized the agreement, calling it a “sell-out” and demanding renegotiation. He is particularly unhappy with the UK’s ability to extend the lease by 40 years without Mauritius’ consent and argues that the lease payments should be adjusted for inflation.
Adding to the controversy, Science Minister Sir Chris Bryant has challenged the government’s justification for the deal, particularly its claims about national security. Bryant stated that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) cannot interfere with the UK’s use of civilian or military spectrum, which undermines the government’s argument about the importance of the Diego Garcia base for communications security.
Meanwhile, many Chagossians, the native inhabitants of the islands, have expressed their desire to remain under British sovereignty. A 70-year-old islander told The Telegraph, “I oppose this deal. I am British, and the Chagos Islands must remain British.” Around 400 Chagossians have pleaded to stay under British rule, highlighting the human impact of the decision.
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has also strongly condemned the agreement. At a recent rally, he called the deal “appalling” and criticized Labour for not consulting the people whose lives would be directly affected by the transfer. Yusuf pointed out that Labour had not sought permission or a mandate from anyone involved, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the decision.
The Chagos Islands deal continues to be a contentious issue, with debates over sovereignty, national security, and the rights of the Chagossians at the forefront. The involvement of high-profile figures like Keir Starmer and Phillip Sands has only added to the controversy, making it a complex and emotionally charged topic.
