'Utter betrayal!' Priti Patel DEMANDS evidence that 'nonsense' Chagos deal is 'in the national interest'

The criticism comes as reports suggest Keir Starmer's Government is preparing to finalise the controversial agreement with Mauritius.

Speaking to GB News, Patel said: "There seems to be yet another betrayal of the British people by this terrible Labour Government.

"This is something that we've been absolutely vocal about for the last four months, trying to hold the Government to account.

"We constantly keep on hearing reports, by the way from Mauritius not even in Parliament where we've been trying to hold them to account, on why are they giving this space away, Diego Garcia, why are they conceding now?

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Starmer defies Trump by 'committing to Chagos deal' just days after Mauritius 'secured' more concessions from UK
• POLL: Should Keir Starmer U-turn on his surrender of the Chagos islands? VOTE NOW
• Traitorous levels of national sabotage!' Outrage as Starmer agrees new Chagos deal that costs Britain 'double'

"Rumours and reports are saying £18 billion to the Mauritius government to give away the Chagos Islands at a time when this Government claims that there's a financial crisis.

"They're taking winter fuel payments away from our pensioners, taxing our farmers, taxing working people and putting taxes up. So I think this government has a lot of questions to answer."

Host Eamonn Holmes explained: "Number ten are saying they'd only agree to a deal that is in the national interest and protects our national security."

Patel said: "Well, that's utter nonsense for a start. And I think they're hiding behind this national security fig leaf.

"In Parliament, I've been constantly asking the Government for the evidence that this is in our national interest and it will safeguard our national security.

"Because over the last four months, we cannot forget the fact that Starmer's government had been trying to railroad this deal through while Joe Biden was in the White House and before President Trump was inaugurated."

The deal has raised concerns in Washington, with senior members of Donald Trump's team warning it could weaken Western influence in the Indian Ocean.

A renegotiated version is currently under review by the Trump administration.

Mauritius has sought to ease worries about Chinese influence, being one of only two African nations not to have signed up to China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Patel warned specifically about potential Chinese military presence in the region if the deal proceeds.

"There's no guarantee that the Chinese will not actually put listening stations and put actually their national security apparatus on the archipelago and the surrounding islands," she said.

A Downing Street spokesperson said on Friday that Starmer "underlined the need for a deal to secure the military base on Diego Garcia that ensures strong protections, including from malign influence."

Number 10 said on Tuesday morning it had "no update" on the situation.