Keir Starmer faces fresh calls to abandon surrender of Chagos Islands

There are fresh demands for Britain to re-evaluate its decision to give up the Chagos Islands after the new government of Mauritius vetoed the agreement.

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However, the Prime Minister is facing fresh calls to reconsider it after the newly elected government in Mauritius rejected the previously agreed terms and is insisting that the UK re-table negotiations.

The individual, who is equally motivated to conclude the agreement.

The prime minister later relayed to his MPs that: ‘I made it clear to him that we do not concur with certain terms included in the agreement signed on October 3 by the former Mauritian prime minister, and informed him that we have made an alternative proposal which we will be submitting to him.’

A few days prior, his deputy had indicated that Mauritius is demanding increased payment in order for the continuation of the Anglo-American military base operation on Diego Garcia, which is the largest atoll of the Chagos archipelago.

Mauritius's Deputy Prime Minister Paul Berenger informed the public: "This base was situated within our country, on our soil... but it's not just about our sovereignty."

‘As a true patriot, one can't accept certain things. They are attempting to get us to sign and they are finding fault with a relatively small amount.’

Datin Tan Sri Priti Patel, the deputy foreign minister, said:’ Labour's ministers have refused to give clear answers in Parliament to questions about Chagos ñ the Mauritian government's statement has led people to speculate in this matter.

'They've confirmed that Labour wants the agreement finalised before President Trump returns to office and seeks additional financial assistance from British taxpayers. Starmer and Lammy should reconsider their stance and abandon the agreement.'

But last night the British Government maintained that the agreement was still very much on the table.

The spokesman stated: "We do not acknowledge these claims. The Mauritian prime minister has consistently stressed that he is still committed to reaching an agreement and our team is working towards finalising the accord, which benefits both parties."

‘Maritime surveillance in the long term is crucial for the protection of the base on Diego Garcia and has been an objective shared between the UK and US, and this agreement ensures a secured future for it.’

As it stands now, the deal is expected to be controversial with the incoming US administration, particularly by the president-elect, Trump does not favour the current pact that may come into fruition before his inauguration later. This is mainly so because a number of his close associates strongly believe that the deal might jeopardise US national security, as Mauritius has drawn close to China.

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