Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, claiming the Government is getting off to “the worst possible start” with incoming US President Donald Trump over the Chagos Islands deal.
Speaking to GB News, Farage questioned Labour’s approach to the strategic territory, asking: “What the hell were you thinking about with the Chagos Islands? Diego Garcia?”
The criticism comes as Britain has put negotiations over the islands’ future on hold at the request of Trump’s team.
“The honest truth is that our Government is getting off to the worst possible start with the incoming Trump administration,” Farage said.
Nigel Farage claimed Labour is off to the ‘worst possible start’ in securing a relationship with Donald Trump
GB News / PA
He warned that the relationship between the two Governments is “not very pretty” despite positive atmospherics at recent gatherings.
Senior members of Trump’s incoming team demanded Britain delay signing the deal until after he takes office, amid concerns over Chinese military influence.
Trump is expected to review the Chagos Islands deal after his inauguration on Monday, once he receives detailed security briefings.
The president-elect will be presented with classified intelligence about the Diego Garcia airbase and briefings on the islands’ ownership status.
Senior members of Trump’s team demanded Britain delay the signing of a dealReuters / PAPrime Minister Starmer told the Financial Times he believed it was right for Trump to examine the deal.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
No 10 has since confirmed this position, abandoning earlier plans to sign an agreement before the inauguration.
Farage further warned that any pivot towards the European Union could complicate future relations with Trump’s America.
“If we pivot towards the European Union, that makes getting a trade deal of some kind with Trump’s America even more difficult,” he told GB News.
Farage urged the Prime Minister to reconsider his approach, saying: “I suggest Keir Starmer has a long, hard think over the weekend, about what this relationship needs to be.”
Farage told GB News that Starmer needs to have a ‘long think’ about his approach to the US
GB News
The concerns emerge as the UK pursues closer relations with China, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently travelling there for trade negotiations.
Lord Mandelson, the incoming UK ambassador to the US, has warned that Beijing “directly challenges” Western governments and values.
A UK government source confirmed that Starmer agreed to delay announcing the deal following pressure from Trump’s team.
Mauritius has acknowledged Trump’s role in the decision-making process, with Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful stating: “You can’t reach a deal behind the back of a new government.”