Sir Keir Starmer has shelved plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after losing the backing of US President Donald Trump, marking a further breakdown in relations between London and Washington.
The proposed legislation, which was intended to formalise the agreement, will no longer appear in the upcoming King’s Speech. The decision follows sharp criticism from Trump, who reportedly dismissed the deal as a serious strategic mistake and withdrew US support. Without Washington’s approval, the UK government has accepted it cannot move forward.
Despite this setback, ministers insist they still support the agreement in principle and will attempt to revive talks with the United States. However, there is growing frustration within government after Trump reversed his earlier position, having initially backed the deal following discussions between intelligence agencies.
At the centre of the dispute is the future of Diego Garcia, the UK-US military base located in the Chagos Islands. Officials fear that handing sovereignty to Mauritius could expose the base to legal challenges, particularly over access to surrounding waters. This could complicate military operations, including the deployment of nuclear-powered submarines and regional patrols.
Under the proposed arrangement, Britain would have transferred sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while securing continued access to Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease. The government estimated the cost at £3.5 billion, though opposition figures claimed the true long-term cost could be closer to £35 billion.
The plan has been politically contentious from the outset. Starmer has faced sustained criticism from both the Conservatives and Reform UK, who argue the deal would weaken Britain’s strategic position and effectively surrender sovereign territory.
A government source defended the agreement, stating that securing the long-term future of Diego Garcia remains the primary objective. However, they acknowledged that delays and shifting US support have left insufficient time to pass the necessary legislation in the current parliamentary session.
Relations between Starmer and Trump have deteriorated significantly in recent months, particularly over the illegal war involving Iran. Trump was angered by the UK’s refusal to allow US forces to use British bases for initial strikes, publicly criticising Starmer’s leadership. In response, Starmer questioned the legality and planning of those strikes, deepening the rift between the two leaders.
The collapse of the Chagos legislation is being viewed as another political setback for the prime minister. Opposition figures, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, have both claimed credit for opposing the deal and influencing US resistance.
The failure to pass the bill also raises the prospect of renewed legal challenges from Mauritius. Officials are concerned that international courts could grant Mauritius temporary access to waters around the islands, potentially undermining the operational security of the military base.
The Chagos Islands, formally known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under UK control since the early 19th century. They were separated from Mauritius prior to its independence in the 1960s to facilitate the construction of the Diego Garcia base, which remains one of the most strategically important military sites for both the UK and the United States.
With the legislation now dropped and time running out in the current parliamentary session, the future of the deal remains uncertain. Any attempt to revive it will depend heavily on whether the UK can repair relations with Washington and regain US support.
Join the Discussion
Have something to say? Join the conversation!
Sign in to share your thoughts and engage with other readers.
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this article!