Under-fire Sir Keir Starmer accused of inflicting £30bn of self-harm on UK with Chagos Islands giveaway

Aerial view of Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago.
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SIR Keir Starmer has inflicted £30billion of self-harm on the nation with his Chagos Islands giveaway, opponents claim.

The Prime Minister also came under fire for handing a separate £1billion over 25 years to China’s ally Mauritius as part of the agreement.

Keir Starmer has inflicted £30billion of self-harm on the nation with his Chagos Islands giveaway, opponents claimCredit: PA
The Chagos Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean, halfway between Africa and IndonesiaCredit: Getty

The pact allows Britain to lease back the Diego Garcia airbase, which will have a 24-nautical mile buffer zone, for 99 years.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Chagos has been ours since 1814. It hosts a vital military base.

“Surrendering it to Mauritius is an act of national self-harm.

“It leaves us more exposed to China, and ignores the will of the Chagossian people. And we’re paying billions to do so.”

The handover deal was signed yesterday afternoon, having survived a last-ditch legal challenge.

Tories put the cost at £30billion — but the PM says it is closer to a tenth of that.

He said it was vital for our security and pointed out it was supported by our major allies.

Insiders also say the Tories were prepared to sign a deal on worse terms without the exclusion zone.

Keir Starmer must IGNORE judges demanding Britain gives up Chagos Islands, top Tory blasts
The PM said it was vital for our security and pointed out it was supported by our major alliesCredit: AFP

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