Keir Starmer has tonight been forced to stall the Bill which would hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius. The legislation enabling the deal was expected to be debated in the Lords on Monday. But this evening, it was revealed that the votes have been delayed amid parliamentary ping-pong and a backlash from the Americans. Both the Conservatives and Reform UK are keen to take credit for the pause in the bill, under which Britain would give up the archipelago and lease back the Diego Garcia base.

The Conservative case for credit is on the legislative front. Peers like Lord Hannan argue that the U-turn occurred only after the Tories had put out a rare three-line Whip for Monday, with ministers concluding that their Bill would fall. Four amendments were sent by the Lords back to the Commons last week – an indication of the level of opposition in the Upper........

© The Spectator