Mauritius demands more from Britain in deal for Chagos Islands - as Labour desperate to sign it off before Donald Trump enters White House
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Mauritius is demanding more from Britain in the deal for the Chagos Islands with Labour desperate to sign it off before Donald Trump gets into the White House. Ministers were accused by a senior member of the Mauritius government of 'trying to make' it sign an agreement after it rejected the original one and 'quibbling over a small amount'.
![[Labour want the deal to be done before Donald Trump gets into the White House]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/23/93443999-14223087-image-a-129_1734997423939.jpg)
It is another embarrassment for Labour as it tries to seal the treaty promptly in case Mr Trump decides it risks the security of an Anglo-American military base on one of the islands. Under the terms of the deal announced in October, the UK will give up sovereignty of the archipelago in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius but maintain a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia base for an undisclosed price.
![[As part of the arrangement with Mauritius, the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia - the largest of the islands - will remain operational for at least 99 years]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/23/93239615-14223087-As_part_of_the_arrangement_with_Mauritius_the_joint_US_UK_milita-a-130_1734997428547.jpg)
According to the BBC, Mauritian deputy prime minister Paul Berenger said on Sunday: 'They are trying to make us sign and quibbling over a small amount.'. He has admitted his country needs funds 'but not under any conditions'. Labour is desperate to sign it off on the deal as soon as possible (Pictured: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer).
Labour want the deal to be done before Donald Trump gets into the White House. As part of the arrangement with Mauritius, the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia - the largest of the islands - will remain operational for at least 99 years. Last night the Friends of the British Overseas Territories charity said: 'There was never any need for a 99-year lease.
