Nigel Farage erupts at ‘horrible’ Chagos deal in livid Commons assault | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Nigel Farage declared he would somewhat hand over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to the US than “corrupt” Mauritius.

The Reform UK chief mentioned he needs the UK to maintain the British Indian Ocean Territory, however Labour is “clearly hellbent” on ceding management.

He added that if Britain goes to surrender the islands then they need to as a substitute be bought to the US.

In a livid Commons speech this night, the Clacton MP mentioned: “I would love to see the American administration veto this terrible deal, but I’m not even sure then that this Government will move its position.

“They are clearly hellbent on giving away the Chagos Islands, whatever the risks to global security, whatever the risks to our own budgetary constraints, and having ignored completely the will of the majority of the Chagossian people.

“If that’s the case, I would rather see America have the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands than a corrupt Mauritius.”

Mr Farage continued: “If we’re going to give this up, let’s sell. Let’s sell, let’s get a few billion quid for the … Chagos Islands.

“Mauritius has no legal basis, no legal claim. And you know what? Investment would come, the Chagossians could go back and get well-paid jobs.”

The Government is in talks with Mauritius about handing over sovereignty of the territory and leasing back the strategically important Diego Garcia military base, which is used by the US.

Tory Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel suggested Britain’s enemies are “rubbing their hands with glee” on the prospect of an unsure future for the navy base.

Referring to a possible lease on the bottom, Dame Priti requested: “What happens if we want to extend and Mauritius does not? What will happen to the base, to the equipment under these circumstances?

“What if, at the end of 99 years, the price that Mauritius asks is too high? If we cannot unilaterally extend the lease, then guess what? We’ve lost control.

“The Labour Government may not realise this but Mauritius knows it very, very well, the British taxpayer knows this extremely well, and of course, our enemies know this – and they’re sitting back and watching, rubbing their hands with glee because on all the key negotiation points, Labour have backed down and Britain is losing control.”

Foreign Office minister Anneliese Dodds instructed MPs a legally binding worldwide judgment in opposition to UK sovereignty within the Chagos Islands is “inevitable” with out a deal.

She mentioned a deal is “necessary”, including: “This deal will ensure the continued, uninterrupted operation of the base on Diego Garcia well into the next century.

“It will cement UK and US presence in the Indo-Pacific for generations to come, and I haven’t heard a single suggestion in her lengthy speech about how she would secure that base at all.”