Statement by TUV MP Jim Allister:
“The hand over the Chagos Islands is a shameful and exorbitantly expensive sell out of sovereignty.
“The UK historically owns the Chagos Islands. Hence its large and strategically important military base there. Yet, under this deal the government is surrendering sovereignty to Mauritius and then leasing back for 99 years its own base! The amount of money is eye-watering, running to well over £20B.
“There is much unease in Parliament about this deal. Yet, the only way there can even be a debate before the deal is implemented is by way of a ‘prayer of opposition’. This is what I have been involved in securing this week. I drafted such a motion and then secured joint submission of the ‘prayer’ under the lead signatures of Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage and myself.
“Several dozen other MPs have now signed the motion with a view to trying to force the government to concede a debate. This is the work now in progress.”