Under-fire Sir Keir Starmer accused of inflicting £30bn of self-harm on UK with Chagos Islands giveaway
SIR Keir Starmer has inflicted £30billion of self-harm on the nation with his Chagos Islands giveaway, opponents claim.
The Prime Minister also came under fire for handing a separate £1billion over 25 years to China’s ally Mauritius as part of the agreement.
The pact allows Britain to lease back the Diego Garcia airbase, which will have a 24-nautical mile buffer zone, for 99 years.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Chagos has been ours since 1814. It hosts a vital military base.
"Surrendering it to Mauritius is an act of national self-harm.
“It leaves us more exposed to China, and ignores the will of the Chagossian people. And we’re paying billions to do so.”
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The handover deal was signed yesterday afternoon, having survived a last-ditch legal challenge.
Tories put the cost at £30billion — but the PM says it is closer to a tenth of that.
He said it was vital for our security and pointed out it was supported by our major allies.
Insiders also say the Tories were prepared to sign a deal on worse terms without the exclusion zone.
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