President still considering veto of Chagos Islands deal

Donald Trump may still veto Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite the PM’s eagerness to push ahead with the deal.

- DAVID MADDOX ANDREW FEINBERG ARCHIE MITCHELL

With reports that the UK and Mauritius have come to terms on a new agreement on the Indian Ocean archipelago, a White House spokesperson told The Independent that President Trump has not given it his blessing.

There are serious concerns about the top secret US-UK airbase on Diego Garcia and the potential for Chinese interference if the UK gives up sovereignty on the islands. And while the Biden administration had been happy to support the old deal struck last year to hand over the islands, Trump has been taking advice from Brexiteers and right-wingers in the UK to veto the agreement.

Reports that Sir Keir’s government has squared off a new agreement with Mauritius with Mr Trump have been denied by the White House. A White House official said: “The Trump administration continues to review the British government’s agreement with Mauritius and potential implications for Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.”