UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Conservatives plan to block the Chagos Islands deal, citing China spying risks and forcing annual parliamentary votes on Mauritius payments.
As reported by The Telegraph, Tory MPs plan to block the Chagos Islands deal next week amid concerns China could use it to spy on the UK.
How are Tories trying to block the Chagos Islands deal?
Kemi Badenoch’s party intends to challenge the Chagos agreement in Parliament by holding up scheduled payments to Mauritius.
The move comes as Labour faces backlash over the failed China spy case, raising concerns about government stability.
Concerns are growing over Jonathan Powell’s involvement in crafting the Chagos Islands agreement. The deal, potentially costing UK taxpayers around £47bn over the next century, has sparked major debate.
Under the agreement, Mauritius will gain the islands, which have been under British control for 200 years, despite close ties to China. The islands include Diego Garcia, a strategic hub for UK-US military operations in the Middle East.
Critics warn the agreement could allow China to exploit Mauritius’ ties to gain access to the Chagos archipelago.
Diego Garcia is used not only for jets but also as a submarine refueling and resupply station, as well as a satellite hub. Experts warn Beijing could use a neighbouring island for spying on UK and US military activities.
MPs in the House of Commons will consider the Chagos agreement this week, with Conservative MPs planning a final attempt to block it. They plan to amend the bill to prevent any payments to Mauritius without parliamentary approval.
Under the bill, MPs must vote each year to approve hundreds of millions in payments to Mauritius. The amendment would block the deal from proceeding without the release of Attorney General Lord Hermer’s legal justification.
Concerns have been raised over the Attorney General’s role in the agreement and the guidance provided to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Officials argue the deal is necessary following the International Court of Justice’s advisory ruling in favour of Mauritius. They warn that failing to approve the handover could expose the UK to legal challenges over sovereignty.
Opponents argue the ICJ has no power to force Britain to hand over the territory.
What did Priti Patel say about Keir Starmer and the Chagos-China deal?
Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said,
“Our spineless Prime Minister is kowtowing to China.”
She stated,
“He is so desperate for the CCP’s approval, he is prepared to hand over his own country’s sovereignty – not to mention £40 billion of taxpayers’ cash – to an ally of Beijing.”
Ms Patel said,
“As usual, he is running scared of scrutiny. He can’t face being held to account over Chagos and China, because he knows his arguments don’t stand up. He thinks that by hiding behind the façade of international law, he can betray the British people and get away with it.”
She added,
“But the Conservatives will always stand up for the national interest, and so we will resist Starmer’s Chagos-China Surrender Bill every step of the way.”
What does the UK-Mauritius Chagos deal mean?
The Chagos Islands deal is a deal between the UK and Mauritius that resolves a long-standing sovereignty dispute. The treaty aims to protect an important military base while finishing the process of giving Mauritius full independence.
The UK will lease the island of Diego Garcia, home to a secretive UK-US military base, for an initial period of 99 years. Mauritius cannot resettle this island and must seek UK approval for any construction on the surrounding islands
.Britain will pay Mauritius an average of £101 million per year for the lease, totaling an estimated £3.4 billion over the 99-year term. The agreement also includes a £40 million trust fund to support the Chagossian people.
What did Keir Starmer say about the Chagos deal?
Sir Keir Starmer said the agreement is
“absolutely vital for our defence and intelligence, and therefore, for the safety and security of the British people.”
He stated,
“The strategic location of this base is of the utmost significance to Britain.”
Mr Starmer added,
“By agreeing to this deal now, on our terms, we’re securing strong protections, including from malign influence, that will allow the base to operate well into the next century.”
What did Marco Rubio say about the Chagos deal?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the signing of the “historic” Chagos agreement.
He said,
“We commend both the United Kingdom and Mauritius for their leadership, vision, and commitment to ensure that Diego Garcia remains fully operational for the duration of this agreement.”
Mr Rubio added,
“We look forward to working closely with both governments to strengthen our collaboration in support of regional peace and stability.”
What is the case of Chinese spies?
Two British men, Christopher Cash, a parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, were charged under the Official Secrets Act. They were accused of providing “prejudicial information” to the Chinese state.
The case was dropped by prosecutors in September 2025, after the government refused to provide a “public interest immunity” certificate.
The collapse caused a significant political storm, with the opposition accusing the government of a major failure on national security. The Tory party intends to stop the Chagos deal, warning of potential Chinese surveillance.
