A livid row has erupted after the federal government introduced that it has given up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands after greater than 50 years.
Overseas secretary David Lammy mentioned the transfer would “strengthen our position in safeguarding world safety”.
The islands are strategically vital due to their location within the Indian Ocean and comprise a UK-US army base at Diego Garcia.
Beneath the settlement, management of the islands might be handed over to the federal government of Mauritius – however the army base will proceed to function because it does in the intervening time.
Chagossians had been compelled to depart the central Indian Ocean territory by 1973 to make manner for the army base at Diego Garcia.
The expulsions are thought to be some of the shameful components of Britain’s trendy colonial historical past and Chagossians have spent a long time combating to return to the islands.
Lammy mentioned: “This authorities inherited a scenario the place the long-term, safe operation of the Diego Garcia army base was beneath risk, with contested sovereignty and ongoing authorized challenges.
“At this time’s settlement secures this important army base for the long run. It can strengthen our position in safeguarding world safety, shut down any risk of the Indian Ocean getting used as a harmful unlawful migration path to the UK, in addition to guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a detailed Commonwealth associate.”
The transfer, which follows two years of negotiations between the UK and Mauritius, was additionally welcomed by US president Joe Biden.
He mentioned: “I applaud the historic settlement and conclusion of the negotiations between the Republic of Mauritius and the UK on the standing of the Chagos Archipelago.
“It’s a clear demonstration that via diplomacy and partnership, international locations can overcome long-standing historic challenges to achieve peaceable and mutually useful outcomes.”
However Conservative Occasion management contenders James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat each condemned the deal in separate posts on X.
Cleverly mentioned: “Weak, weak, weak! Labour lied to get into workplace. Mentioned they’d be whiter than white, mentioned they wouldn’t put up taxes, mentioned they’d stand as much as the EU, mentioned that they be patriotic. All lies!”
Tugendhat described the choice as “a shameful retreat undermining our safety and leaving our allies uncovered”.
