Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has faced fierce criticism over his connection to a lawyer who represented Mauritius in the Chagos Islands dispute.
Political commentator Madeline Grant told GB News that Phillip Sands KC, described as "one of his closest friends," has acted for the Mauritian government.
"I cannot understand this sudden desperation to offload sovereign territory," Grant said on the programme.
She branded Sands' actions as "treachery" and "traitorous behaviour," questioning whether those running the country were acting in Britain's best interests.
Madeline Grant hit out at Keir Starmer
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GB News host Ben Leo said that Sands KC was photographed on the Chagos Islands after reportedly travelling there without UK government permission.
According to Leo, Sands raised a Mauritian flag on the islands, declaring: "It's morning on Chagos, where the Mauritius flag flies, proving the rule of law is not only a dream."
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The Chagos handover was discussed on GB News
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The revelations about Starmer's close friend come amid ongoing controversy over Labour's deal to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.
Last October, Labour agreed to transfer British sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with the UK maintaining a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia military airbase.
The deal, which would cost £9billion in lease payments, was initially greenlit by the Biden administration.
However, Mauritius' new Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has criticised the agreement, describing it as a "sell-out" and calling for renegotiation.
The deal will see the UK hand over the Chagos Islands to MauritiusGettyRamgoolam objects to the UK's ability to unilaterally extend the lease by 40 years and argues the payments should be inflation-proof.
Science Minister Sir Chris Bryant has contradicted the government's national security justification for the Chagos deal.
Bryant stated that "The ITU cannot challenge the UK's use of civilian or military spectrum," undermining Downing Street's claims about communications security at the Diego Garcia base.
Meanwhile, 400 Chagossians have pleaded to remain under British sovereignty.
A 70-year-old islander told The Telegraph: "I oppose this deal. I am British and the Chagos Islands must remain British."
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has condemned the Chagos Islands agreement at a recent rally.
"Everything about this deal is appalling," Yusuf said.
He criticised Labour's lack of consultation on the territorial transfer, stating: "They have not sought permission, they have not sought a mandate, nor have they sought permission from anyone whose lives are going to be affected by this."
