Sir Keir Starmer’s close friend is Mauritius’s chief legal adviser, it has emerged.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh questions over the deal with Mauritius (Image: Getty)
The Prime Minister, who is facing widespread fury over the UK’s decision to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, will face further questions over his relationship with Philippe Sands KC.
Sands is the chief legal adviser for the island and has argued for Mauritian control of the islands.
He said in January: “At the outset, I wish to make clear that as a member of the Bar of England and Wales I have acted as counsel to Mauritius since 2010 in relation to the Chagos Archipelago.
“As such, I have been involved in the proceedings before the Annex VII arbitral tribunal (2010-2015), the International Court of Justice (ICJ, 2017-2019) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS, 2019-2023).
“I continue to advise the Government of Mauritius.”
After news broke of the UK’s decision to give away the Chagos Islands, Mr Sands posted on X: “A special day for Mauritius, for Chagossians, for international law.”
Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps raged over the decision on Thursday, declaring: “As Defence Secretary I was so concerned about the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands that I blocked the deal from proceeding.
“Today, this government has announced it’s abandoned our sovereignty of the Archipelago, including the militarily essential Diego Garcia.
The islands are a key military base for the US (Image: Getty)
“The government’s joint statement fails to address FOUR urgent questions:
“1. What happens after 99 years and specifically, is renewal then automatic? If not, then Starmer has just signed up to a Hong Kong style situation, which hasn’t worked out well.
“2. Exactly how much is the new rental payment to the government of Mauritius? The sums being demanded were both enormous and indexed linked. The government must release this number immediately.
“3. How has the government ensured continued military use of Diego Garcia, especially since the location of these islands could be impacted by the Treaty of Pelindaba (also known as the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treat).
“4. How will this capitulation help when it comes to protecting other British assets like Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and our two Sovereign Bases in Cyprus – all of which face varying levels of sovereignty challenge?”
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Rachel Reeves’ new hair style ‘oldest trick in book as UK faces impending doom’
Rachel Reeves’ red hair symbolises power, rulership and play (Image: Alamy)
Rachel Reeves has unveiled a new ‘battle red’ hair style as she primes the nation for a tough Autumn Statement on October 30.
The chancellor has warned that ‘difficult decisions’ are necessary to ‘restore economic stability’ in the UK with Keir Starmer adding that Labour’s budget will be “painful”.
And it looks like Reeves is preparing herself by donning a red hair style in the face of impending doom.
Writing in The Telegraph, Beauty Editor at Large Annabel Jones said: “There’s nothing like a bright new image in the face of impending doom.
“It’s the oldest trick in the book and one that Rachel Reeves surely considered when she briefed her hair colourist this week.”
Reeves’ new look comes just a day before the Budget (Image: Getty)
She added: “When you hold the country’s finances in your hands, a dramatic restyle doesn’t happen on a whim. Reeves’s move from brunette to red would have taken serious contemplation.
Celebrity hairstylist Josh Wood said: “Red is a very powerful colour, it shows strength and determination,” says
“Rachel Reeves means business, she wants to be noticed, red hair can be seen as risky and racy and linked to dangerous women”, he added.
Showcasing her new do Reeves smiled brightly for pictures as she paired the hair with a red blouse and red binder with black trousers.
The chancellor has warned that ‘difficult decisions’ are necessary ahead of the Autumn Budget (Image: Getty)
However, she could also just be getting in the Autumn spirit and going with the trends as according to global Pinterest data, searches for “Foxy red” hair are up 1530 per cent since this time last year.
Reeves’ new hair symbolises power, rulership and play suggesting her authority over the UK and it will be hard to miss the bold look in the House of Commons later this month.
Red hair also has connotations of courage with it also brightening up your features.
While the exact details of Labour’s first budget are unclear, the Chancellor has already warned of potential tax rises, suggesting she may need all the courage to tell the British public such a thing.
In August, she said: “I think that we will have to increase taxes in the Budget,” when asked if they would be increased
While the exact details of Labour’s first budget are unclear, the Chancellor has already warned of potential tax rises. In August, she said: “I think that we will have to increase taxes in the Budget,” when asked if they would be increased.
According to The Mirror, she also wouldn’t rule out rises in inheritance tax or capital gains tax, with the latter referring to a tax on the profit you make when selling an asset that’s increased in value. This could include real estate or stocks, for instance.
Beyond this, Sir Keir Starmer hasn’t eliminated the possibility of changes to fuel duty either, as per the BBC. This is a tax included in the price of fuel sold in the UK for the purposes of heating or motoring.
Despite the uncertainty, the PM has previously assured that National Insurance, VAT and income tax won’t be touched in the midst of his efforts to support ‘working people’. Though, he has warned of a ‘painful’ Autumn Budget while adding: “I’ll have to turn to the country and make big asks of you to accept short-term pain for long-term good.”
