Streeting admits Chagos ‘surrender’ deal is dead without US backing – after Trump condemns terms as ‘terrible and ridiculous’ during first meet with Burnham
Wes Streeting said the proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius could not proceed without US support, after Donald Trump described the agreement as “terrible” and “ridiculous”. The dispute centres on protecting the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
During a meeting with Trump, Andy Burnham said safeguarding the base was essential and presented the discussions as constructive. Streeting also said no payments would be made to Mauritius until the issue was resolved, while Conservative and Reform politicians criticised the proposal and Burnham’s shifting stance.
- US backing is considered essential for the Chagos deal.
- Trump strongly condemned the proposed agreement.
- Payments to Mauritius are paused pending a resolution.