The UK has agreed to hand back the islands (Image: GETTY )
Britain has agreed to hand sovereignty of the long-contested Chagos Islands, an archipelago of more than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius, in a deal to secure the future of a strategically important U.K.-U.S. military base at Diego Garcia.
But the UK Government’s decision has prompted a scathing reaction from political rivals, with former Home Secretary and Tory leadership candidate erupting at the “weak” decision.
In a statement Thursday, the British government said the agreement is strongly supported by international partners including the US, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying: “Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future.”
“It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner.”
The islands have been been in British hands since 1814. Plans to return the islands to Mauritius were initially set to be dropped last year after opposition.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy (Image: Getty)
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However, a joint statement issued by the UK and Mauritian governments said: “Following two years of negotiation, this is a seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law.
“Negotiations have been conducted in a constructive and respectful manner, as equal sovereign States, on the basis of international law, and with the intention of resolving all outstanding issues between the United Kingdom and Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including those relating to its former inhabitants.”
It added: “Today’s political agreement is subject to the finalisation of a treaty and supporting legal instruments, which both sides have committed to complete as quickly as possible. Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.
“At the same time, both our countries are committed to the need, and will agree in the treaty, to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia which plays a vital role in regional and global security.”
For an initial period of 99 years, the United Kingdom will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia “the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century”, the statement explained.
Mr Cleverly, said: “Weak, weak, weak! Labour lied to get into office. Said they’d be whiter than white, said they wouldn’t put up taxes, said they’d stand up to the EU, said that they be patriotic. All lies!”
Fellow Tory leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat said: “This is a shameful retreat undermining our security and leaving our allies exposed.”
He said the Foreign Office had “negotiated against Britain’s interest” and it was “disgraceful that these negotiations started under our watch”.
Mr Tugendhat added: “Lord Cameron rightly blocked them only to see it back under David Lammy’s complete failure of leadership.”
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