Labour has paused its controversial plan to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after the UK did not agree to allow the use of British bases to attack Iran.
Sir Keir Starmer has been put under pressure to make his 16th U-turn after President Donald Trump last night rubbished the Prime Minister’s Chagos “surrender” deal.
Now, the administration will “pause for thought” on plans to bring legislation underpinning the deal back to the House of Lords, reports Politico.
A senior Government official briefed on the plans and granted anonymity as they are not authorised to speak on the record said there will now be a “rethink.”
The UK is yet to give permission for the US to use the bases in the event that the White House orders a strike on Iran, due to concerns that it would be a breach of international law, reports The Times.
Sir Keir and President Trump spoke on Tuesday night, with the two men discussing The White House’s ultimatum to Iran over its nuclear programme.
Less than 24 hours later, President Trump came out against the Chagos deal.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel is now demanding the Prime Minister cancels the £35billion deal.
The Witham MP said: “It’s time Starmer finally saw sense, U-turned and scrapped this appalling deal altogether. Giving up British sovereign territory to an ally of China and paying for the privilege is irresponsible and reckless and is clearly undermining our relationship with our most important ally.”
However, a Foreign Office spokesman said: “The deal to secure the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia military is crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies, and to keeping the British people safe.
“The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base”.
