UK defends Chagos deal amid Trump ridicule
Britain is defending a £3.4bn agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the Diego Garcia military base for 99 years, arguing the deal secures long-term US-UK military operations and national security. Despite Donald Trump’s public criticism calling it an act of great stupidity, UK officials say the move is supported by the US and Five Eyes allies, and the bill implementing the agreement is moving through Parliament.