The Chagos Islands agreement was thrown into disarray on Wednesday by conflicting reports from the British government over whether ratification was suspended for talks with the United States over the Diego Garcia strategic military base in the Indian Ocean.
Foreign Secretary Hamish Falconer had told MPs that ratification of the deal to cede the islands to Mauritius had been suspended while talks with Washington continued.
A British government spokesman later denied there had been a formal suspension of the process, insisting that no deadline had ever been set and reiterating that Britain would not make progress without US support.
“We are continuing discussions with the US and we have made it clear that we will not move forward without their support,” the spokesman told Reuters. reported.
Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands is a strategic military base in the Indian Ocean, housing 2,500 American personnel. (Reuters)
The confusion has left critics claiming the deal exposes weaknesses that could undermine Western security amid heightened tensions.
“This is what pushed the president to do it [Donald] Trump’s statement,” Midgley said, after Trump publicly criticized the deal despite initially supporting it.
Trump had reignited the controversy on February 18 in a post on Truth Social, urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abandon the deal.
“DON’T GIVE DIEGO GARCIA AWAY!” Trump called the deal a “big mistake” and put extra pressure on the transatlantic negotiations.
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The deal would see Britain cede sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius, while giving it a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, the strategically vital island that hosts a major joint US-British military base. (Planet Labs PBC)
Midgley argued that the deal should be “rescinded” in accordance with Trump’s wishes.
“The UK government must now go a step further and withdraw the bill from Parliament and find an alternative solution,” he said.
“The ministers have inadvertently exposed that the deal has no legal basis and risks creating a more uncertain world vis-à-vis states like China and Iran,” he added.
The deal, struck last year, would see Britain cede sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius, while securing a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, the strategically vital island that hosts a major joint US-British military base.
The base plays a central role in operations in the Middle East, Africa and the Indo-Pacific, meaning the proposal has come under increasing political pressure on both sides of the Atlantic.
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President Trump has urged Britain not to give away Diego Garcia. (Reuters photos)
The legislation is currently before the House of Lords, where objections have been raised. No date has yet been set for a debate or vote, further adding to the uncertainty.
Midgley urged Washington to continue opposing the deal and supporting Britain in maintaining control of the area.
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“The US must stand firm, continue to reject the deal and support Britain in asserting its sovereignty to help preserve the future of Western security,” he warned.
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