Sir Keir Starmer has given up the Chagos Islands, handing the Indian Ocean territory to Mauritius.
The islands were British-owned from 1814 but have now been signed away by the Government in a deal that it claimed would safeguard global security by ending a long-running dispute.
They include Diego Garcia, which hosts a strategically important US-UK military base.
A joint statement by the British Prime Minister and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth said: “Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.”
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said in a statement on Thursday that the agreement would still secure the “vital” military base for future use.
He said: “This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.
“Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future.
“It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner.”
Grant Shapps, a former defence secretary, said: “This is absolutely appalling.
“Surrendering sovereignty here creates read-across to other British bases. It’s a weak and deeply regrettable act from this government.”
This is a breaking news story and is being updated
