Starmer renounces British sovereignty over Chagos Islands ‘to strengthen global security’

Sir Keir Starmer has given up the Chagos Islands, ceding the Indian Ocean territory to Mauritius.

The islands had belonged to the British since 1814, but have now been signed by the government in a deal it said would guarantee global security by ending a long-running conflict.

Among them, Diego Garcia, which hosts a strategically important US-British military base.

A joint statement from the British Prime Minister and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth said: “Under the terms of this treaty, the United Kingdom will accept that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. »

David Lammy, the foreign minister, said in a statement on Thursday that the deal would still ensure the security of the “vital” military base for future use.

He said: “This government inherited a situation in which the long-term secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.

“Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future.

“This will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, eliminate any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous route for illegal migration to the UK, and also secure our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close partner of the Commonwealth. »