David Lammy: Chagos deal will not go ahead if Donald Trump rejects it
Earlier, Sir Keir faced questions over whether the money to pay Mauritius for leasing back the military base would come out of the increase in defence spending announced on Tuesday.
Pressed over the issue by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch during Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir refused to say directly whether this would be the case.
He told the Commons the hike in defence spending was “for our capability on defence and security in Europe”.
The PM added that the Chagos deal was “extremely important for our security” and the details and cost would be put before MPs when finalised.
The UK government has never confirmed the estimated cost of payments under the deal, but there have been reports of a figure ranging from £9bn to £18bn.
Sir Keir said “the figures being bandied around are absolutely wide of the mark”.
Related
Youth football teams hold minute’s silence for 10-year-old Poppy Atkinson
Youth football teams and grassroots clubs across the country have held a minute’s silence at the start of their games to commemorate a 10-year-old girl who di
Girl’s death sparks minute’s silence at football matches nationwide
10-year-old Poppy Atkinson was killed when she was struck by a car during a training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria. Clubs from Leeds to London
Liverpool fans’ Uefa claim can be heard in England, judge…
The high court, sitting in Liverpool, heard Uefa had relied upon the principle that English courts will not inquire into the legality of actions by foreign gove
Alan Shearer’s Premier League predictions including Manchester United vs Arsenal
Caption: Alan Shearer?s Premier League predictions credit: Getty / Metro After some impressive results for English sides in Europe the focus is
