British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations

In the House of Commons debate on the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Foreign Secretary, Mr David Lammy, announced that the UK and Mauritius have reached a political agreement on the future of the territory. He stated that this historic deal secures the long-term future of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which is critical for national security and the UK's global defence partnerships. In response, the shadow Foreign Secretary, Mr Andrew Mitchell, strongly criticised the decision, describing it as an "astonishing" and "ill-advised" move that risks the UK's strategic interests and undermines fundamental principles of international law. He questioned the financial details of the agreement and raised concerns about the potential impact on the UK's other overseas territories, such as Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands. The debate that followed saw a range of views expressed by members on both sides of the House. Some Conservative MPs, such as Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Sir Julian Lewis, echoed the concerns raised by the shadow Foreign Secretary, arguing that the deal poses a grave security risk and that the Government should have consulted more widely before making the announcement. In contrast, Labour members, including Ms Emily Thornberry and Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, broadly welcomed the agreement, highlighting the importance of upholding international law and securing the future of the military base. The discussion also touched on the historical treatment of the Chagossian people, with several members, including Mr Jeremy Corbyn, calling for an apology and recognition of the injustices they have faced. The Foreign Secretary acknowledged the wrongdoings of the past and outlined measures to support the Chagossian community, such as a new trust fund and increased opportunities for resettlement. Throughout the debate, the Government reiterated its commitment to the self-determination of the UK's other overseas territories, including Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, seeking to reassure members that this agreement does not set a precedent or have any read-across to those territories. The Foreign Secretary also emphasised the support the deal has received from the US and other key international partners. Overall, the debate highlighted the complex and sensitive nature of the issue, with members on both sides of the House expressing a range of views and concerns. The Government defended the agreement as a necessary and pragmatic solution to secure the UK's strategic interests, while the opposition challenged the decision and called for greater transparency and parliamentary scrutiny.