Keir Starmer branded ‘deeply embarrassing’ over Chagos Islands speech | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Keir Starmer has been accused of delivering a “deeply embarrassing” speech in defence of his deliberate give-away of the Chagos Islands.

The Prime Minister spoke at a gathering of the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council at the moment, the place he was pressured to insist that the handover of the islands to Mauritius is not going to pave the best way for additional giveaways within the coming years.

Sir Keir informed attendees: “I do just want to just quickly touch on the issue of the Chagos Islands because I know you have talked about it, discussed it, and it’s been much discussed in the news.”

“We inherited a situation where the long-term secure operation of the military base was at risk. There was no doubt about that.

“It was a unique situation, with unique history and unique circumstances. And it has no bearing on other overseas territories, no matter how much other people try to spin it. It has got absolutely no bearing on any of you.”

However he has now been branded “deeply embarrassing” for the actual fact he needed to make the reassurance within the first place.

This night Lord Blencathra, President of the Conservative Friends of Overseas Territories, mentioned: “When you have to spend half your speech trying to justify your decision on the Chagos Islands to the other British Overseas Territories, it is both deeply embarrassing and you know you are in serious trouble.”

“The PM was forced today give basic reassurances to the other Overseas Territories that he will not sell them out in the same way that he’s sold out the Chagos Islands and the Chagossian people.

“This is deeply humiliating. This is not how it should be and how can they trust him after what he’s done on Chagos.

“There was nothing in Keir Starmer’s speech that conveyed anything of Britain’s responsibilities or duties to our Overseas Territories.

“The Chagos deal is dead in the water and the sooner Kier Starmer realises this and pulls the plug, the better as its clearly damaging the relations with the other Overseas Territories.”

There stay questions on whether or not the deal will no go forward in any respect following the election victory of Donald Trump.

While the Biden White House was largely supportive of the UK Government’s choice, many individuals round Mr Trump have been overtly important of the giveaway prior to now, together with his new choose for National Security Advisor.

This week it was revealed that the PM’s choice at hand over the Chagos Islands additionally dangers costing the Ministry of Defence a whole lot of tens of millions of kilos.

While Britain will proceed having use of its navy base on the island for numerous years, it is going to should be leased from Mauritius, with the fee coming from the MoD finances.

Ministers are persevering with to refuse to specify how a lot Britain pays annually in return to be used of the bottom.