Minister Confirms Chagos Deal Proceeds Despite US Concerns and Parliamentary Pause
The UK government has definitively signalled that the controversial Chagos Islands deal is proceeding, despite earlier confusion and significant criticism from the Trump administration in the United States. This clarification comes after Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer suggested in the House of Commons that the agreement had been "paused", a statement that government officials later attributed to a misstatement.
Clarification from Government Ministers
Communities minister Alison McGovern provided unequivocal confirmation during an interview with Times Radio on Thursday morning. When asked directly if the deal was moving forward "100%", Ms McGovern responded affirmatively, stating, "Yes. My colleague the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has been talking to Marco Rubio, her opposite number in the US, about it. Foreign policy is never easy. We will make progress on the Chagos deal."
Pressed further on whether the agreement was "categorically, definitely going to happen", the minister again replied with a simple "Yes." This firm stance contrasts with Mr Falconer's remarks in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, where he indicated the government was "pausing for discussions with our American counterparts" following what he described as a "very significant" statement from President Trump.
US Presidential Opposition and Strategic Implications
The £35 billion agreement, which includes provisions for leasing back the strategically vital UK-US Diego Garcia military base to Mauritius, has faced substantial opposition from US President Donald Trump. The American leader has publicly criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's handling of the matter, labelling the deal a "big mistake" and urging the British government: "Do not give away Diego Garcia."
Despite this presidential intervention, the UK government maintains that the United States administration continues to support the treaty. A government spokesman emphasised: "There is no pause. We have never set a deadline. Timings will be announced in the usual way. We are continuing discussions with the US, and we have been clear we will not proceed without their support."
Legal and Parliamentary Context
The government argues that the Chagos Islands deal is necessary to secure the future of the Diego Garcia base following a 2019 advisory ruling from the International Court of Justice that supported Mauritian sovereignty claims over the archipelago. Under the proposed arrangement:
- The UK would pay £34.7 billion in nominal terms over a 99-year period
- This payment would guarantee continued use of the military installation
- The agreement represents a significant foreign policy commitment
However, the legislation required to ratify the handover of the islands to Mauritius has not been debated in either the House of Commons or the House of Lords since January 20, despite being in its final parliamentary stages. Minister McGovern was unable to specify when the Bill would return to Parliament for further scrutiny, highlighting the ongoing complexities of the process.
Cross-Atlantic Diplomacy and Domestic Scrutiny
Mr Falconer informed MPs that while there was initial support from the US administration for the treaty, the government is now "discussing those concerns with the United States directly." He acknowledged the president's recent statement as significant but maintained that American administrative support for the agreement "has not changed."
The deal has attracted considerable criticism from both Westminster and the White House, creating a delicate diplomatic balancing act for the UK government. Senior government sources confirmed that Mr Falconer had "misspoke" regarding any pause in proceedings, while simultaneously acknowledging that the United Kingdom would not advance with the agreement without American backing, given the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia facility.
