The UK government is working with Mauritius to finalise a deal on the future of the Chagos Islands, Downing Street has confirmed, in a deal which Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon has torn into on GB News.
Under the proposed agreement, Mauritius would gain sovereignty of the islands from the UK.
The deal would allow the US and UK to continue operating a military base on Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years.
The arrangement would come at a cost to the British taxpayer.
Bannon is shocked by the decision
GB NEWS / GETTY
Steve Bannon, former Trump adviser, has criticised the deal, calling it a surrender of "one of the greatest strategic assets in the world".
"I don't understand how the Brits fought for the Falklands in the South Atlantic and then give away one of the greatest strategic assets in the world today", Bannon said on GB News.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
He expressed bewilderment at Britain's willingness to relinquish control of such a valuable territory.
Bannon highlighted Diego Garcia's critical military function in the region.
"Everyone knows Diego Garcia. It's where you refuel and restore, it's basically a pier in a runway. It's so important," he stated.
"It's the lynchpin of the Indopacific strategy," Bannon added, drawing on his experience as a former sailor.
Steve Bannon spoke to Steven Edginton on GB News
GB NEWS
"When you talk about the Pacific Ocean, you talk about vast oceans. You have these tiny spots and Diego Garcia has been a military base since WW2."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been vocal in his opposition to the deal, taking his concerns "to the top of the pile in the US".
Bannon acknowledged Farage's efforts, saying: "I agree with Nigel Farage. I think it might be a bone of contention later."
The 99-year lease arrangement has drawn particular scrutiny, with Bannon referencing Hong Kong's previous lease situation as a cautionary example.
The Prime Minister has handed back the British-owned Chagos Islands to Mauritius after 200 yearsGB NewsDespite earlier concerns from his administration, former US President Donald Trump has indicated support for the Chagos deal.
When asked about it during a press conference with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last month, Trump said: "We're going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it's going to work out very well."
He referenced the lease terms positively, calling it "a very strong lease, about 140 years actually."
The Conservatives have fiercely criticised the deal, with party leader Kemi Badenoch arguing it was "not in our national interest to give [them] away and pay for the privilege of doing so".
Reports have suggested the deal could cost the UK government up to £18bn.
The Foreign Office has labelled these figures "inaccurate and misleading".
The government has not yet disclosed the actual cost of the arrangement.
Sir Keir Starmer has defended the deal, calling it "extremely important for our security".
The Prime Minister has promised to inform MPs of the details once the agreement is finalised.
The Chagos Archipelago was separated from Mauritius in 1965, when Mauritius was still a British colony.
