The UK splashed £1.3million of taxpayer funds on a diversity scheme in Mauritius while conducting the Chagos Islands' negotiations.
British taxpayers' cash has gone towards a bespoke aid programme - which included a scheme to hike up female representation in the Mauritian renewable energy sector - while Starmer was fighting to "surrender" the territory.
In his attempt to give up the Indian Ocean Territory, the PM has been blasted for the sheer cost of giving up the land - which could be up to £18billion for the Diego Garcia base lease.
The Government would be required to make the payment across 99 years.
In his attempt to give up the Indian Ocean Territory, the PM has been blasted for the sheer cost of giving up the land - which could be up to £18billion for the Diego Garcia base lease
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Those fighting against the plans - including Reform and the Tories - have claimed that Keir Starmer is trying to appease international courts - which could, in turn, put the UK's special relationship at risk.
The diversity scheme is costing Britain tens of thousands each month and is run by the British High Commission in Port Louis.
In addition to the £200,000 aimed at increasing the number of women and young people "occupying jobs in the renewable energy sector" by March this year.
The Government has deemed the project "good value for money" while Britain continues to foot the bill for training workshops for women and young people interested in green energy.
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Additionally, police sent officers from London and Cambridgeshire to Mauritius to support those involved in law enforcement on ways to handle cybercrime and "to help investigative capabilities" between January and March 2023.
The British taxpayer bankrolled a £15,000 visit from the Mauritian electoral commissioner in March 2023 to learn election law and "expert advisory services to support water sector reform in Mauritius" for the price of £230,000.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has slammed the scheme, saying: "Frankly, the whole episode, from the very beginning, and with all the more details that emerge, is getting pretty close to treacherous behaviour by the British Government."
He highlighted that the project began under the Conservative Government and has persisted under the current Labour administration.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has slammed the British Government for the diversity scheme
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The news has followed wider discussion over diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies - particularly in the US.
When Donald Trump entered the White House, he started to sign a long list of executive orders banning the diversity projects across federal institutions and agencies.
The scheme - called the Mauritius multi-sector development programme - was described as involving "targeted interventions to support marginalised and vulnerable groups", in documents seen by The Telegraph.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "This programme was introduced under the last administration to work with Mauritius on international development and climate change. It is not conditional on negotiations over the British Indian Ocean Territory."
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