Nigel Farage has written to David Lammy calling for an urgent debate on what he deemed as a “surrender” regarding the Chagos Islands.
The Reform UK leader published the letter he has written to the Foreign Secretary, requesting a debate on the issue once Parliament is recalled from recess tomorrow.
The deal – reached after years of negotiations that began under the Tories – will see the UK hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The US-UK base will remain on the island of Diego Garcia – the biggest of the islands in the archipelago.
Nigel Farage has called for a debate on the issue of the Chagos Islands
PA
That played a key part in enabling the deal to go forward at a time of growing geopolitical rivalries in the region between Western countries, India and China.
The Clacton MP referred to himself as an “ardent defender of Western global interests” and claims that it is “difficult to view the deal that appears to have been struck as anything other than a damaging capitulation at a time of growing uncertainty around the world”.
He continued on to say that the Chagos decision has “led to speculation about the future of the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar”.
Farage is adamant that it is “vital that the House is given an opportunity to scrutinise” the deal, which he described as “damaging to Britain’s security”.
The third-placed finisher on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here concluded his letter by slamming the Labour Party for not mentioning anything regarding the Chagos Islands in their manifesto.
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David Lammy has borne the brunt of Farage’s fury
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The letter read: “Dear Foreign Secretary, I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the Prime Minister’s decision, announced on 3 October, to renounce Britain’s sovereignty of the Chagos Islands so that this territory comes under the control of Mauritius.
“The strategic importance of the Chagos Islands to our nation and to our most important ally, United States of America, is well known.
“Speaking as an ardent defender of Western global interests, it is difficult to view the deal that appears to have been struck as anything other than a damaging capitulation at a time of growing uncertainty around the world.
“The key questions that must be answered, therefore, are how it came about that this crucial military possession should be surrendered and whether it is wise that this should happen now.
“The future of the Chagos Islands was announced when the House was not sitting, meaning that Members of Parliament from all Parties remain in the dark about so many aspects of his decision.
The deal will see the UK hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
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“This has led to speculation about the future of the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. None of this is helpful to anybody. Rather, it is in fact damaging to Britain’s security.
“With all of this in mind, and before any Treaty is signed with Mauritius, it is vital that the House is given to an opportunity to scrutinise the origins of the Chagos Islands deal and to debate its many implications.
“I would ask that this debate be held at the earliest opportunity, preferably on Monday 7 October, when the House returns from recess.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, a vote must then take place – particularly not a word about the future of the Chagos Islands was even mentioned in your Party’s latest general election manifesto.”
