UK pauses £120m annual Mauritius payments as Chagos Islands deal faces review following Trump criticism
Source Summary
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed that annual £120 million payments to Mauritius under the Chagos Islands sovereignty deal are on hold pending review. The deal, which would transfer the islands to Mauritius while guaranteeing UK control of the Diego Garcia military base for at least 99 years, has drawn criticism from Donald Trump and Conservative opposition. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge stated the deal cannot proceed without American support and called for it to be scrapped entirely.
Why it matters
The deal's viability depends on US support, and Trump's opposition creates a significant obstacle to a major UK foreign policy initiative involving military strategy and substantial financial commitments.
What remains uncertain
The outcome of the review and whether the deal will ultimately proceed, be renegotiated, or be abandoned remains unresolved.
