Deal done at last to return islands

Chagos handed fo Mauritius but base will remain

- LIZZY BUCHAN

THE UK will give up sovereignty of a remote set of islands in the Indian Ocean after a bitter battle which lasted for decades.

PM Keir Starmer confirmed a deal was reached to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The territory includes tropical atoll Diego Garcia, home of a strategically important UK/US military base at a time of rivalry with China.

The Foreign Office said the base's status will be undisputed and legally secure following the pact.