Keir Starmer blow as Mauritius ‘calls for extra money’ over Chagos deal | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Chagos Islands negotiations might even see the UK hand over greater than the rumoured £9billion as Mauritius reportedly calls for a bigger sum. In a last-minute try to attain a greater deal from the UK, sources near discussions alleged the East African nation will likely be going after extra money in lease funds and for improvement funding.

After US president Donald Trump signed off on Britain handing over the islands, negotiations have reached their last levels. Despite experiences of £9billion being agreed for the lease of the Diego Garcia navy base again to the UK, Mauritius is now seemingly going after the next quantity. The two nations have additionally didn’t agree on how a lot of the lease will likely be paid up entrance.

Three new options to carry ahead the funds have been made by British negotiators, it’s claimed, all of which might imply paying greater than 99 years’ value of lease for the islands prematurely.

Mauritius has reportedly rejected two of the proposals, as an alternative pushing for the next quantity.

A Mauritian insider near the discussions informed The Telegraph: “We won’t sign the deal without getting clarity on the amount of money front-loaded.

“We were provided three options for the payment of the financial package. We didn’t even consider the first two options after consulting our legal experts. We are discussing the third option.”

The particulars of the remaining choice on the desk stay unknown.

After a draft deal was agreed with the earlier Mauritian authorities final yr, Navin Ramgoolam, the brand new Mauritian prime minister, reopened negotiations which noticed the UK comply with carry ahead funds.

The complete price of the deal to the UK is but to be confirmed by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, however it’s reported to be £9billion. Various claims of the determine being nearer to £18billion have been labelled as “inaccurate” by a Labour minister.

The last deal will likely be introduced to Parliament, and the true price to the taxpayer will likely be unveiled for the primary time.