Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer pushed by Joe Biden to surrender Chagos Islands by threatening 'special relationship'

Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer pushed by Joe Biden to surrender Chagos Islands by threatening 'special relationship'

Joe Biden pressured the UK to relinquish control of the Chagos Islands due to fears that the US might lose access to a key military airbase, it is understood

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Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 08/10/2024

- 07:28

Updated: 08/10/2024

- 11:36

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  • One of the four remaining Tory leadership contenders will be eliminated from the race to succeed Rishi Sunak
  • Boris Johnson rejects allegations he mocked public with claim they 'avidly craved' lockdown rules
  • Starmer to chair first cabinet meeting today since announcement that Sue Gray would leave her post

Joe Biden pressured the UK to relinquish control of the Chagos Islands due to fears that the US might lose access to a key military airbase, it is understood.

In the days following the July general election, senior officials from the White House's National Security Council and the State Department warned the incoming Labour Government that declining to cede control of the islands could put the "special relationship" with Washington at risk.


Last week, Sir Keir Starmer was condemned for his decision to give up the archipelago of more than 1,000 tiny islands.

It is believed the the deal could give China access to the Diego Garcia air base.

However, under the deal, Mauritius will control the islands but Britain and the US will rent the base for 99 years.

US officials pressured the UK to agree to the deal, concerned that if it wasn't finalised, Mauritius might secure a binding ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to gain control of the islands, which could lead to the closure of the air base.

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‘We should send all migrants back to France’ says former Tory Chairman

A former chairman of the Conservative Party has said he does not believe the UK should be taking in migrants who arrive from France

GB News

A former chairman of the Conservative Party has said he does not believe the UK should be taking in migrants who arrive from France.

Speaking to GB News, Sir Jake Berry said: “My view is there's no such thing as an asylum seeker from France.

“They are not fleeing persecution in France. My view is that none of them should be coming, and we should send them all back to France.

“That's my base position. But actually, these figures are extraordinary. You think about it, you walk down your street and you see a hundred people: one of them is going to be in this country legally. It's just mind blowing."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Britain's population rises by 1% in a year 'mainly due to net migration'

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said that the UK's population increased by 1 per cent in one year, mainly due to net international migration.

By mid-2023, the total population of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was estimated to be 68.3 million.

The ONS said: "Net international migration was the main contributor to population increase for all four countries of the UK in the year to mid-2023."

Most Britons think Labour Government is 'sleazy', new poll reveals

A new YouGov poll reveals that more than half of Britons consider the recently elected Labour government to be "sleazy," just 100 days into Sir Keir Starmer's tenure.

The perception comes amid controversy surrounding gifts and hospitality accepted by Starmer since becoming Labour leader.

The poll found that six in ten respondents used this term to describe the government, while 77 per cent still view the previous Conservative administration as "sleazy" – not significantly higher than Labour's figure.

Around 30 per cent of Labour voters agree with this characterisation, and 38 per cent feel the party has fallen short of their expectations.

Crunch point approaches Tory leadership race today

Four Tory leadership contenders remain in the raceFour Tory leadership contenders remain in the racePA

A leadership vote will narrow the field of candidates who could replace Rishi Sunak as head of the Tory Party.

Four contenders, Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugnedhat will find out their fate later today.

By Wednesday, just two candidates will remain and party members will decide the winner.

Starmer to hold key cabinet meeting to outline strategy for Labour’s manifesto amid possible reforms

StarmerPrime Minister Keir StarmerPA

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to meet cabinet ministers later today as the October budget grows closer.

The Prime Minister will likely discuss the cost of living crisis, energy policy, and NHS reforms.

It comes as Starmer plans to solidify his leadership and demonstrate his party's readiness.

Starmer 'does not have a problem working with women', says Transport Secretary

Louise Haigh

Louise Haigh

PA

The Transport Secretary was asked about criticisms of the Prime Minister from now-independent MP for Canterbury Rosie Duffield, as reports suggest top aide Sue Gray may have been forced out of No 10 by male advisers to Starmer.

"I don’t think the Prime Minister has any problem working with women," Louise Haigh told Sky News.

"If you look at the women he has around him, the first female Chancellor (Rachel Reeves), Angela Rayner, the Cabinet is gender balanced, we have more female Labour MPs than there are Tory MPs in total.

"So think any sense that the Labour Party has a problem with women – or the Prime Minister – is evidenced by the facts of us."

Falklands and Gibraltar ‘not up for negotiation’, says Labour

David Lammy

David Lammy

PA

David Lammy has told MPs that the deal with Mauritius "does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories".

The Foreign Secretary told the Commons: “I want to reassure the House and all members of the UK family worldwide that this agreement does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories.

“British sovereignty on the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the sovereign base areas, is not up for negotiation. The situations are not comparable.

“This has been acknowledged across our overseas territories. Fabian Picardo, chief minister for Gibraltar, vocally supported this agreement, stating that there is no possible read across to Gibraltar on the issues of sovereignty."

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