The Chagos Islands giveaway is under threat as the former Mauritian PM behind the deal has been interrogated in a money-laundering scandal.
Pravind Jugnauth and members of his family were questioned on Saturday at the offices of the Mauritian Financial Crimes Commission after a three-hour search of his home.
Authorities had previously raided the home of a close associate of the ex-PM, where they said they found suitcases filled with thousands in cash in over a dozen different currencies.
They also claim to have found Rolex and Cartier watches as well as UK visas. The associate denied the items were his.
Pravind Jugnauth and members of his family were questioned on Saturday at the offices of the Mauritian Financial Crimes Commission after a three-hour search of his home
PA/GETTY
The Mauritian financial crimes commission also froze the passports of Jugnauth, his wife, brother-in-law and associate.
Supporters gathered outside the Financial Crimes Commission offices to protest the questioning. No charges have been brought against him.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mauritian minister Reza Uteem said: “It is standard procedure for law enforcement to notify the passport and immigration services before interrogating a suspect.
"If there is any indication that the individual might attempt to leave the country, officials issue immediate instructions to prevent them from departing.”
Yesterday evening, the Tories said the “imploding” Chagos surrender should be stopped, describing the deal as “dodgy” following the new revelations.
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Shadow Secretary Chris Philp said: “The fact that the architect of the appalling Chagos deal has now been interrogated in a money-laundering probe puts a huge question mark over the future of the proposals.
"It raises the red flag that any money paid by Britain to Mauritius may end up being misappropriated for personal gain.”
He said taxpayers' money would disappear into an “unaccountable black hole”, citing concerns about corruption.
“Paying billions to give away territory that has been British for hundreds of years while undermining our security at the same time is madness, and can only be explained by Keir Starmer trying to impress his lawyer friends. This whole deal defies common sense, and this revelation makes it even worse,” he added.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel urged Sir Keir Starmer to stop the deal “in its tracks,” claiming the Government had been hiding information from the British Public about the negotiations.
Shadow Secretary Chris Philp said taxpayers' money would disappear into an “unaccountable black hole”, citing concerns about corruption
PA“The Government must disclose everything they know about this latest development, which affects our national interests,” she said.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, said: “The former Mauritian prime minister has been interrogated over suspected money-laundering in his own country, just as he tries to con Britain out of our sovereign territory.”
Jugnauth was PM of Mauritius until losing elections in November - only a month after the Chagos deal was struck.
His successor Navin Ramgoolam has been critical of the agreement.
