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The UK government has affirmed its “continued confidence” that an agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius represents the “best way forward,” despite recent criticism from former US President Donald Trump.
Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty defended the agreement while also accusing Conservative peers of employing “parliamentary maneuvers” aimed at “sabotaging” legislation designed to enshrine the treaty into UK law.
The government postponed Monday’s scheduled House of Lords debate on the bill after Conservative peers introduced an amendment calling for a temporary suspension “in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape.”
Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel stated that the postponement demonstrates the “ongoing humiliation of Labour’s Chagos surrender.”
The proposed agreement outlines that the UK would cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while simultaneously leasing back the joint US-UK military base located on Diego Garcia.
Questions surrounding the future of the treaty arose last week after Trump characterized the agreement as an “act of great stupidity,” despite his administration’s prior acceptance of its terms.
The bill designed to implement the treaty is currently undergoing a parliamentary process known as “ping-pong,” which involves the repeated exchange of legislation between the House of Commons and the House of Lords until a consensus on its wording is achieved.
Prior to the latest round of debate, Conservatives argued that passing the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill would place the UK in violation of a 1966 treaty established with the US concerning the islands.
The opposition has urged the government to ensure that an agreement with the US regarding the 1966 treaty is reached before the bill is reintroduced to the House of Lords.
Responding to an urgent question raised by the Conservatives in the House of Commons, Doughty stated that the bill’s next stage had been delayed due to the opposition’s tabling of a “wrecking amendment” that is “toying with our national security.”
He asserted, “The government remains committed to the agreement, which safeguards the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.”
“Some have attempted to undermine the process through procedural motions and parliamentary ploys.”
“Our focus remains on delivering this bill to protect our national security.”
On behalf of the Conservatives, Dame Priti accused the government of attempting to “force through” the bill in the House of Lords.
She argued, “In their haste to appease the desires of their left-leaning legal associates, Labour overlooked this crucial 1966 treaty between the UK and the US, which stipulates that the British Indian Ocean Territory shall remain under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.”
Dame Priti requested details regarding recent discussions between the UK and the US concerning the agreement.
She concluded, “It is time for Labour to recognize the error of their ways, abandon this treaty, and stand up for Britain.”
Doughty stated that the government has consistently maintained the need to update the 1966 agreement between the UK and US prior to the ratification of the new treaty.
He added that the UK is “engaged with the United States on a daily basis on matters relating to our national security.”
Labour MP Dan Carden stated that he has “gone along with the government to this point” but noted it has been “against my instincts” and he “cannot understand what exactly we are doing here”.
Carden told the chamber: “International agreements do not protect us against our enemies, or our allies, sovereignty does.
“I genuinely think the people we represent will be asking, ‘why can the prime minister not step forward, assert sovereignty over these islands, and make clear that we have the military defence to defend them?'”
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller urged the government to accept his party’s amendment seeking a “pause while the US position is clarified”.
Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans asked whether or not the Chagos deal can proceed without US support.
Doughty replied: “We have been clear consistently that before the UK can ratify the treaty we would need to do the following: pass primary and secondary legislation; update the UK-US agreement, the exchange of notes; and put in place arrangements on the environment, maritime security and migration.”
The government has argued it has to give up sovereignty over the territory due to international legal rulings in favour of Mauritius.
The UK has said it would pay Mauritius an average of £101m a year for 99 years, which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer claimed amounted to a “net cost” of £3.4bn after adjusting for factors including inflation.
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