Nigel Farage has warned that handing over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius could severely damage the UK’s relationship with the United States, potentially jeopardising future free trade agreements with Washington.
The Reform UK leader urged the Government to delay any deal until after Donald Trump’s administration has had “a few weeks” to assess its implications. His warning comes as Mauritius’s Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, suggested that Sir Keir Starmer remains “confident” that an agreement can be reached in the coming weeks.
Diego Garcia’s strategic importance
At the heart of the controversy is Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, which hosts a joint UK-US military base. This facility is considered vital for American military operations in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, and critics fear that transferring sovereignty to Mauritius could weaken Western security interests in the region.
During a debate in Westminster Hall, Mr Farage stressed Diego Garcia’s critical role in US military strategy:
“I think Diego Garcia is probably the single most important thing right now that we give America. Without it, they have not got access to the Middle East, to India and much else. It is the single most important island in the world for America, well, after Hawaii obviously.”
He expressed concern that the UK’s value in its special relationship with the US would be “considerably reduced” if the Government proceeded with the deal, adding that Washington might not fully realise its strategic loss until later.
Farage: Deal could harm UK’s trade prospects
Mr Farage, now an MP for Clacton, also warned that proceeding with the deal could hinder prospects for a UK-US free trade agreement, particularly under a future Trump presidency.
“During his last term as president, Trump said to me personally, he really wanted a free trade deal with the United Kingdom. He felt it wouldn’t be unfair, because we’re roughly operating on similar levels and similar costs.”
He suggested that the US administration is currently too preoccupied with other priorities to object strongly, but once they “wake up” to the implications of the deal, it could negatively impact Britain’s economic ties with Washington.
“Once they realise we haven’t even got this to give them anymore, then our value to America in that two-way relationship becomes considerably reduced. I genuinely fear that if this continues, our chances, not just of avoiding tariffs but of moving on to a sectoral free trade deal will all but evaporate.”
Mr Farage called on the Government to pause the agreement and allow the US time to reassess:
“The special relationship will be dangerously fractured if the Government carries on with this, and I urge them, please, please, please, do give the American administration a few weeks to think about this while they settle into office.”
Government defends Chagos deal
Responding to concerns, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty defended the Government’s position, arguing that finalising a deal would actually help secure the future of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
“The Government inherited a situation where the long-term future of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which is so vital to UK and US security, was under threat.”
He assured MPs that any agreement would include “strong protections” to ensure that Diego Garcia’s strategic function remains unchanged:
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“We will only agree to a deal that is in the UK’s best interest, those of our allies, and protects our national security.”
Concerns over US-UK relationship
The debate also highlighted broader divisions over Britain’s relationship with the United States. Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed took a different stance, describing the UK-US alliance as “toxic, abusive and destructive.”
“A special relationship is important and essential, however, our country’s best interest is not served by blind subservience in the face of US power.”
Mr Mohamed’s comments reflect growing scepticism among some MPs about the extent of Britain’s reliance on the US, particularly in light of post-Brexit trade negotiations and shifting global alliances.
A high-stakes decision for the UK
The Chagos Islands dispute is not just about sovereignty—it has far-reaching geopolitical implications. The UK must now navigate a delicate balance between maintaining its historical ties with the US, respecting international legal rulings, and managing its diplomatic commitments to Mauritius.
As negotiations continue, the Government faces mounting pressure from both sides—those who fear the deal could weaken Britain’s strategic importance to the US, and those who argue it is a necessary step towards decolonisation and international credibility.
The final decision on the future of the Chagos Islands could have lasting consequences for the UK’s foreign policy, trade prospects, and defence partnerships in the years to come.
