Attorney General Lord Hermer, a close ally of Sir Keir Starmer, has stated that Labour is 'determined' to complete the controversial Chagos Islands deal, which would hand over the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius while leasing back the joint US-UK Diego Garcia military base. The agreement has stalled after former US President Donald Trump withdrew his support, but Lord Hermer expressed hope that the treaty would be signed 'in the coming weeks and months.'
Reform UK Accuses Lord Hermer of Subverting National Interest
Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick sharply criticized Lord Hermer's comments, accusing him of working to 'subvert our national interest.' Jenrick stated: 'Labour’s determination to push through this surrender deal shows exactly where the party’s priorities lie – handing billions to a foreign country while British pensioners, farmers and businesses have paid the price. Even in his final days, Lord Hermer is working to subvert our national interest. Soon, he can go back to representing Britain’s enemies openly as a lawyer. Good riddance to him – he won’t be missed.'
Lord Hermer Defends Deal as Overwhelmingly in National Interest
During his appearance before the Justice Committee, Lord Hermer insisted that the Chagos agreement is 'overwhelmingly in our national interest.' He explained: 'The negotiations that we picked up from the last Conservative government, which were very developed negotiations, were started and we continued with them because of our national security analysis as to the importance of the base of Diego Garcia. That is what it was about, that is what it has remained about.' He added: 'I very much hope that in the coming weeks and months we're able to sign the treaty – again because it's in the national interest of this country to do so, because of our national security concerns and the importance of the base in that part of the world.'
Deal Stalled After Trump Withdrawal
The deal was shelved earlier this year after being blasted as an 'act of total weakness' by former US President Donald Trump. Despite this, Lord Hermer noted that the United States initially supported the deal under Trump but later changed its position. The Government has argued that the pact is necessary to secure the future of the Diego Garcia base following an advisory International Court of Justice ruling in 2019 that backed Mauritian claims to sovereignty over the islands.
Uncertainty Over Future of Deal Under New PM
It remains unclear whether Sir Keir Starmer's successor as Prime Minister will continue to pursue the deal, despite Lord Hermer's comments. The agreement has also faced criticism from the Conservative Party. The controversy adds to the political turbulence surrounding the Chagos Islands, a longstanding issue in UK foreign policy.
