Donald Trump sent U.K. officials into a tailspin last month when he fired off a social media post calling the Chagos Islands deal an “act of great stupidity” — despite previously backing the move.
The U.S. president’s about-turn in support came as the U.K. backed Greenland amid Trump’s threats to seize the Danish territory at the beginning of the year.
Following intense transatlantic diplomacy, Trump earlier this month accepted the deal struck as the “best” Prime Minister Keir Starmer can get.
Senior opposition figures in the Conservative and Reform UK parties have been lobbying against the deal, which will cost Britain around £3.4 billion over the initial 99-year lease.
Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel called for Starmer to “urgently clarify” whether the U.K. will be represented at next week’s talks, warning it is vital for the U.K.’s defense and security interests that an agreement is not concluded without British input.
The deal “threatens to compromise operations at the UK-US joint military base at Diego Garcia, exposing it to state threats as well as future lawfare,” Patel said.
Britain must now pass legislation to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The legislation is expected to return to the House of Lords next week, two officials granted anonymity to discuss plans under consideration told POLITICO.