The Chagos Islands have today been surrendered to Mauritius alongside a “financial support” package in order to “address wrongs of the past”, the Foreign Office said.
Britain will cede sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia – which plays host to a joint UK-US military base – but it will retain the facility on a 99-year lease.
The surrender sparked fears over fellow British Overseas Territories (BOTs), the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar – though on the latter, GB News understands that officials are steering clear of the issue, and are confident in the UK Government’s ability to deliver on the will of the Rock regardless of how Spain might view the Chagos debacle.
While in the Falklands, Governor Alison Blake issued a similar statement of confidence on Thursday afternoon, lauding how Britain’s “unwavering commitment to defend UK sovereignty remains undiminished”.
The move sparked widespread condemnation with Tory MP and deputy chairman Brendan Clarke-Smith saying: “Beijing will be delighted. Next it will be Gibraltar or the Falklands.
“This is not a serious Government – or a Government that acts in the interests of the UK and its allies.”
Cleverly also lashed out at Labour, saying: “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!”
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