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The Labour government has agreed a deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius to secure the future of a secretive military base in the Pacific Ocean.
But the Tories have condemned the move, with Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick accusing Sir Keir Starmer of “surrendering” Britain’s strategic interests.
Former foreign secretary James Cleverly has also joined the backlash, branding Sir Keir Starmer “weak, weak, weak” despite having kicked off negotiations over the deal when he was in cabinet.
But ministers have defended the decision and claimed the agreement will protect the UK-US base on Diego Garcia and close a potential illegal migration route.
It comes as Boris Johnson revealed how he dismissed warnings over Dominic Cummings and the Barnard Castle row as “lefty journalists angry over Brexit”.
In his new book ‘Unleashed’, the former prime minister explained why he refused to sack his then political adviser despite his infamous trip during the peak of the pandemic.
When a friend advised him to sack his then chief of staff, Johnson wrote he retorted: “The whole thing is a put up job. It’s just a load of lefty journalists who want payback for Brexit.”
Key Points
- Furious Tories condemn Starmer’s Chagos deal
- UK to hand over secretive Chagos Islands to Mauritius
- Boris Johnson dismissed Barnard Castle row as 'lefty journalists angry over Brexit'
- Dominic Cummings conspired against me, says Boris Johnson
- Practising Hindu Sunak was offended by Johnson’s rhetoric
Furious Tories condemn Starmer’s Chagos deal despite them opening talks
More Tory leadership candidates have joined Robert Jenrick in criticising the British Indian Ocean Territory decision.
James Cleverly said: “Weak, weak, weak! Labour lied to get into office. Said they’d be whiter than white, said they wouldn’t put up taxes, said they’d stand up to the EU, said that they be patriotic. All lies!”
Fellow rival Tom Tugendhat said: “This is a shameful retreat undermining our security and leaving our allies exposed.”
He claimed the Foreign Office had “negotiated against Britain’s interest” and it was “disgraceful that these negotiations started under our watch”.
Mr Tugendhat added: “Lord Cameron rightly blocked them only to see it back under David Lammy’s complete failure of leadership.”
But the Tories were responsible for starting the negotiations over the deal when they were in power.
Former foreign secretary Mr Cleverly opened talks on the sovereignty of the archipelago in November 2022.
Salma Ouaguira3 October 2024 12:15 1727964603COMMENT | Laura Kuenssberg’s Boris Johnson gaffe was bad – but these are worse
The BBC presenter accidentally sent the former PM her notes: cue, cancelled interview. And Ryan Coogan has a few confessions of his own…
Laura Kuenssberg’s Boris Johnson gaffe was bad – but these are even worse
The BBC presenter accidentally sent the former PM her notes: cue, cancelled interview. And Ryan Coogan has a few confessions of his own…
Salma Ouaguira3 October 2024 15:10 1727963403ICYMI: Boris Johnson regrets not sacking ‘homicidal robot’ Dominic Cummings over Barnard Castle debacle
Boris Johnson has branded his former chief of staff Dominic Cummings as “weird” and compared him to a “homicidal robot” as he blamed him for his downfall as prime minister.
In his new autobiography Unleashed, the Mr Johnson charted the collapse of his relationship with Cummings from the high point of them working to win the EU referendum in 2016.
But he has alleged that Cummings lack of gratitude for his efforts to defend him over potentially breaking lockdown rules with an infamous trip to Barnard Castle in 2020 led to the former chief of staff using Partygate as a form of revenge.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story below:
Boris regrets not sacking ‘homicidal robot’ Cummings over Barnard Castle debacle
Boris Johnson had a blazing row with one of his closest former advisers over not sacking Cummings over alleged lockdown breaches and claims after that things got ‘weirder’
Salma Ouaguira3 October 2024 14:50 1727962200THE INDEPENDENT DEBATE: Who should be the next leader of the Tory party?
Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments — we’ll highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.
All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Chagos Islands envoy brands Tory criticism ‘silly’ and ‘ludicrous'
Jonathan Powell, who was appointed only a month ago, has been at the forefront of the Chagos Islands’ negotiations.
The former Tony Blair’s chief of staff was also a key figure in negotiating the Good Friday agreement.
Mr Powell said the securing the deal was “genuinely historic” and he had negotiated “intensively”.
Asked about the criticism from Tory leadership candidates on the deal, he said: “I do think these comments from the Tory leadership candidates are a bit silly.
“James Cleverly was leading these negotiations not that many months ago with the Mauritian government [when he was foreign secretary].”
He added: “What this government has done has been able to conclude it, because that government managed to lose the trust of the Mauritian government during the process.
“So for the people who were involved in that negotiation to start criticising the outcome of something they couldn’t achieve is absolutely ludicrous.”
Grant Shapps joins Tory furore
Nigel Farage says ‘giving up Chagos Islands is strategic disaster’
The Reform UK leader told The Telegraph: “Giving up the Chagos Islands is a strategic disaster.
“Our American allies will be furious and Beijing delighted. Labour are making the world a more dangerous place.”
Salma Ouaguira3 October 2024 13:39 1727958642ICYMI: Cleverly condemns Chagos Islands deal - which he initiated
James Cleverly has condemned Sir Keir Starmer as “weak, weak, weak” for handing the Chagos Islands to Mauritius - despite having kicked off negotiations over the deal when he was foreign secretary.
After a barnstorming conference, which catapulted Mr Cleverly to second favourite in the Tory leadership contest, the misstep threatened to derail his momentum.
Our politics team has the full story below:
James Cleverly condemns Chagos Islands deal - which he initiated
After a barnstorming conference, which catapulted Mr Cleverly to second favourite in the Tory leadership contest, the Chagos Islands news threatens to derail his momentum
Salma Ouaguira3 October 2024 13:30 1727958010Reform MP accuses government of ‘undermining British interests'
Rupert Lowe has joined the Tories in criticising the government’s decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The Reform MP tweeted: “The British government is now actively undermining British interests overseas. A total surrender.
“Speaking to contacts in Gibraltar, they are incredibly concerned following the Chagos Islands capitulation - ‘the thin end of the wedge’...
“The message is loud and clear - this Labour government is a disgrace.”
Salma Ouaguira3 October 2024 13:20 1727957400Your Tory Party conference questions answered by John Rentoul
This year’s Conservative Party conference in Birmingham provides a pivotal moment for reflection and debate.
It stands in stark contrast to the 2023 gathering, when Rishi Sunak’s government made a series of last-minute policy announcements, including offshoring prisoners, cutting civil servants, and controversially scrapping HS2.
As the conference unfolds, our chief political commentator John Rentoul has been answering your burning questions on the leadership contest, the fallout from the election defeat, and more.
Catch up on the full Ask Me Anything Q&A here.
Salma Ouaguira3 October 2024 13:10 Newer1 / 5OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
