Sir Keir Starmer faces criticism regarding changes to the payment terms in the UK-Mauritius agreement over the Chagos Islands. The Mauritian Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, alleged that the UK has altered payment structures, leading to disputes over the deal’s financial impact. Starmer defended the necessity of the arrangement for the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, despite political opposition and concerns about implications for pensioner support.
Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism during Prime Minister’s Questions due to revelations regarding the UK’s financial arrangements with Mauritius concerning the Chagos Islands. The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, announced that the UK had agreed to alter the payment terms related to the islands’ sovereignty, specifically by advancing payments and changing their calculation method. Conservative and Reform UK leaders have targeted Starmer regarding this deal, especially in light of recent cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel payments.
Starmer defended the agreement, asserting that it is essential for maintaining the strategic UK-US military airbase located on Diego Garcia, which the UK plans to retain under a 99-year lease. The initial plan for ceding control of the Chagos Islands, officially termed the British Indian Ocean Territory, was disclosed in October after negotiations with former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. Following Jugnauth’s electoral defeat, the new leadership has expressed concerns over the agreement’s preliminary terms.
Negotiations have faced additional complexities due to the geopolitical implications surrounding the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration could potentially influence the agreement, with claims that it may enhance security for China. Mauritius indicated its readiness to finalize the deal last month; however, the UK requested a delay for Trump’s review.
While the UK government has not publicly disclosed specific payment estimates for the deal, media reports suggest a financial figure of approximately £9 billion. Ramgoolam emphasized that the payments would utilize a variable exchange rate, arguing that the original agreement failed to protect against inflation. The UK and Mauritian governments refuted claims that the deal’s cost had ballooned to £18 billion, yet alternative figures remain unstated.
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, criticized Starmer at Parliament, highlighting the contrast between pensioners receiving reduced financial support and funds purportedly being allocated to Mauritius. In response, Starmer pointed to international rulings that have cast doubt on the future of the Diego Garcia base, despite opposition from the Conservatives and Reform UK who maintain that no binding ruling exists on the matter. He concluded that the base’s operational capability hinges on the UK agreeing to sovereignty transfer.
The controversy surrounding the Chagos Islands arises from a long-standing dispute over sovereignty and the geopolitical significance of the Diego Garcia airbase. The UK has held a lease on Diego Garcia for 99 years, serving as a critical asset for military operations. The agreement on ceding control to Mauritius was officially reached in late 2022, under the administration of former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. However, the shift in political leadership has prompted a reassessment of the terms, as new Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam raises concerns about financial arrangements and strategic implications, particularly in relation to international relations and the US’s stance towards China.
Sir Keir Starmer is currently under scrutiny for his handling of the Chagos Islands deal, as the UK adjusts payment terms to Mauritius. This has sparked disputes regarding the financial implications amid cuts to pensioner benefits. The future of the Diego Garcia base remains uncertain, contingent upon the UK’s agreement on sovereignty, amid disagreements between political parties over the necessity and consequences of this arrangement.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
