9 January 2025, 11:54

By William Freer

New governments in the United States and Mauritius mean Keir Starmer must rethink his Chagos Islands deal or risk making an unnecessary mistake.

It has been several months now since the new Labour government first announced they had reached an agreement with the government of Mauritius over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Diego Garcia, one of the BIOT islands, is of great strategic importance due to the military base there, primarily used by American forces. It serves as a key node in the global military presence of Britain and its allies.

When the deal was first announced, a combination of poor communication from Labour and a mix of both legitimate and exaggerated criticisms generated a strong reaction. The original deal however is falling apart and recent reports suggest Labour is rushing to push it through, but this would be an unnecessary........

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