Donald Trump signs off Keir Starmer’s controversial Chagos Islands deal
Trump signs off Starmer’s plan to cede Chagos Islands
- US President Donald Trump has approved Sir Keir Starmer's controversial deal to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
- The UK and Mauritius are now finalising the agreement, which includes a lease-back arrangement for the Diego Garcia airbase.
- The deal has faced criticism due to its potential cost – up to £18 billion, according to reports – and the perceived unnecessary lease of a base the UK already owns.
- The International Court of Justice earlier ruled that the archipelago belongs to Mauritius.
- The Chagos Islands represent an important part of UK-US security plans because of the airbase, which is strategically important for both countries’ militaries.