Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has launched a scathing attack on the Labour Government's Chagos Islands policy, calling the situation "absurd" during an appearance on GB News.
Abbott questioned the logic behind Britain's proposed payment for territory it already controls.
"Why do you have to buy what you've already got? If you already own it, why do you have to buy it?" he said.
The ex-Australian leader emphasised Britain's historical claim to the territory, noting: "Diego Garcia has been unquestionably British territory. Back in the 1960s, Britain paid £3m to the Mauritians to secure this territory."
Tony Abbott said the deal is 'absurd'
GB NEWS
Abbott delivered a stark dismissal of international court rulings on the Chagos issue.
"They are not courts of justice. They are courts of politics. Often courts of politics driven by aggressive dictatorships with a hatred of the West," he told GB News.
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The deal will see the UK hand over the Chagos Islands to MauritiusGettyHe challenged the basis for Britain's proposed concessions to Mauritius, which stem from a non-binding international court decision.
"Just because there was a non-binding decision by an international court some years ago, that does not mean Britain has to pay upwards of £10bn to keep what it has always had," Abbott stated.
The former PM urged Britain to maintain its principles without submitting to international tribunals.
The controversy comes as Sir Keir Starmer faces fresh turmoil over the Chagos agreement, with the former Mauritius PM who negotiated the deal now under arrest.
Camilla Tominey spoke to Tony Abbott on GB News
GB NEWS
Pravind Jugnauth is facing money laundering charges after authorities reportedly found 114 million Mauritius Rupees - approximately £2 million - at his residence.
Under the proposed treaty, Britain would pay at least £9 billion over 99 years to lease back Diego Garcia after handing sovereignty to Mauritius.
Ministers were forced to deny claims last month that the deal could cost £18 billion, after the new Mauritian government suggested it had secured additional funding.
The exact cost remains undisclosed, with ministers refusing to provide specific figures.
The agreement faces additional challenges from US officials, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning it poses a "serious threat."
The White House has now demanded involvement in negotiations with Mauritius.
The British overseas territory includes the crucial Diego Garcia military base, which would need to be leased back from Mauritius under the proposed deal.
Government ministers warn that failing to reach an agreement could compromise national security and satellite communications.
Critics have raised concerns about the deal's potential cost, warning that inflation-linked lease payments of £90 million annually could push the total expense above £50 billion over the agreement's lifetime.
