Joe Biden pressured the UK to relinquish control of the Chagos Islands due to fears that the US might lose access to a key military airbase, it is understood.
In the days following the July general election, senior officials from the White House’s National Security Council and the State Department warned the incoming Labour government that declining to cede control of the islands could put the “special relationship” with Washington at risk.
Last week, Sir Keir Starmer was condemned for his decision to give up the archipelago of more than 1,000 tiny islands.
It is believed the the deal could give China access to the Diego Garcia air base.
However, under the deal, Mauritius will control the islands but Britain and the US will rent the base for 99 years.
US officials pressured the UK to agree to the deal, concerned that if it wasn’t finalised, Mauritius might secure a binding ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to gain control of the islands, which could lead to the closure of the air base.
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Falklands and Gibraltar ‘not up for negotiation’, says Labour
David Lammy
PA
David Lammy has told MPs that the deal with Mauritius “does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories”.
The Foreign Secretary told the Commons: “I want to reassure the House and all members of the UK family worldwide that this agreement does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories.
“British sovereignty on the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the sovereign base areas, is not up for negotiation. The situations are not comparable.
“This has been acknowledged across our overseas territories. Fabian Picardo, chief minister for Gibraltar, vocally supported this agreement, stating that there is no possible read across to Gibraltar on the issues of sovereignty.”