The UK has announced it is giving up sovereignty of a remote but strategically important cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean after more than half a century.
This includes the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, used by the US government as a military base for its navy ships and long-range bomber aircraft.
The islands have been signed away after 200 years of British rule.
The news hasn't been well received by some MPs.
James Cleverly has said:
Weak, weak, weak!
Labour lied to get into office.
Said they’d be whiter than white, said they wouldn’t put up taxes, said they’d stand up to the EU, said that they'd be patriotic.
All lies!
Robert Jenrick has said:
It’s taken three months for Starmer to surrender Britain’s strategic interests.
This is a dangerous capitulation that will hand our territory to an ally of Beijing.
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.
https://twitter.com/JamesCleverly/status/1841788914282987962
https://twitter.com/RobertJenrick/status/1841788361171784066
https://twitter.com/grantshapps/status/1841782919494238527
