Mauritius demands more from Britain in deal for Chagos Islands – as Labour desperate to sign it off before Donald Trump enters White House_Nhy
Mauritius is demanding more from Britain in the deal for the Chagos Islands with Labour desperate to sign it off before Donald Trump gets into the White House.
Ministers were accused by a senior member of the Mauritius government of ‘trying to make’ it sign an agreement after it rejected the original one and ‘quibbling over a small amount’.
It is another embarrassment for Labour as it tries to seal the treaty promptly in case Mr Trump decides it risks the security of an Anglo-American military base on one of the islands.
Under the terms of the deal announced in October, the UK will give up sovereignty of the archipelago in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius but maintain a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia base for an undisclosed price.
According to the BBC, Mauritian deputy prime minister Paul Berenger said on Sunday: ‘They are trying to make us sign and quibbling over a small amount.’
He has admitted his country needs funds ‘but not under any conditions’.
Labour is desperate to sign it off on the deal as soon as possible (Pictured: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer)
Labour want the deal to be done before Donald Trump gets into the White House
As part of the arrangement with Mauritius, the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia – the largest of the islands – will remain operational for at least 99 years
Last night the Friends of the British Overseas Territories charity said: ‘There was never any need for a 99-year lease.
‘The Chagos Islands are British sovereign territory and any capitulation is ridiculous.’
The Mail has previously reported the deal could amount to tens of millions of pounds a year for the duration of the lease.
The Foreign Office declined to comment on the latest claims.
READ MORE:
Keir Starmer wishes for peace in the Middle East in his first Christmas message as Prime Minister
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is hoping for peace in the Middle East in his first Christmas message as Prime Minister.
The Labour leader also said he was looking towards a ‘brighter future’ after a turbulent start to his time in power that has seen riots after the Southport murders, a flatlining economy and a backlash to his Government’s first Budget.
He will enjoy his first holiday since the July election, spending Christmas at the PM’s official country residence of Chequers, before going abroad with his wife and two children over New Year.
It comes after allies of his told The Mail on Sunday that he ‘badly needs a holiday’ owing to the ‘relentless strain’ of the job.
Sir Keir, the first openly atheist PM, said last night: ‘As Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christmas story reminds all of us to reach out to one another. To care for one another.
The Labour leader also said he was looking towards a ‘brighter future’ after a turbulent start to his time in power
Smoke rises after the Israeli army launched an attack on the Jabalia area in northern Gaza on December 18
Search and rescue operation continue following Israeli attacks on house belongings the Abu Semra family in Deir al-Balah, Gaza
‘This Christmas, I will be hoping for peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story.
‘I’ll be looking towards a better, brighter future for every person and celebrating the joy and wonder that Christmas brings.’
He singled out for thanks those in the NHS, emergency services, Armed Forces and charities who will spend the season serving others.
