Fiery PMQs Exchange
During a heated Prime Minister's Questions session, Sir Keir Starmer faced pressure from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch regarding the allocation of the recently announced £6 billion military funding. The PM hinted that this boost could potentially contribute to funding the contentious Chagos surrender deal, which involves handing over the strategic archipelago to Mauritius.
Clarity and Transparency Demanded
Kemi Badenoch demanded clarity and transparency from Sir Keir, pressing him on whether any part of the defense uplift would be used for the Chagos deal. In response, Sir Keir emphasized that the additional spending was intended for enhancing defense and security capabilities in Europe, stressing the significance of the Chagos deal for security interests.
Controversial Chagos Deal
The Chagos surrender deal, which would involve handing over the archipelago to Mauritius and leasing the island of Diego Garcia to the US-UK military base for £9 billion, has faced backlash. The UK was ruled by a foreign court in 2019 to give up the islands, with a judge suggesting £18 trillion in slavery reparations.
Opposition and Lack of Clarity
Despite some support for the deal from the White House administration under Joe Biden, opposition from allies of former President Donald Trump persists. Concerns have been raised about the potential security implications for both Britain and America. The lack of clarity on how much funding could go towards Mauritius has fueled further criticism and demands for answers from the government.
