UK politics live: Keir Starmer defends Chagos Islands return as Argentina demands Falklands back

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has accused the Labour government of failing to take western security seriously by transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The former cabinet minister, who lost his seat at the general election, expressed concerns about handing over territory to a nation with which the UK has a “tricky relationship”.

The Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia - home to a crucial US-UK military base - were British-owned since 1814 before the recent agreement aimed at resolving a long-standing dispute.

Mr Rees-Mogg argued that the decision reflects poorly Labour’s commitment to national security, particularly in light of potential Chinese interest in the region.

Speaking to GB News, he said: “We lost a legal action and therefore the government entered into talks. But interestingly, when the Conservatives were in office, as these sorts of ideas were floated, they were being heavily shot down, not least by Conservative backbenchers.

“But Labour doesn’t seem to take the security of the West seriously.”

Ed Miliband has denied that Cabinet ministers are under pressure from Sir Keir Starmer to return donations following the freebies row that has engulfed the Labour Party in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, the prime minister attempted to draw a line under the issue by repaying £6,000 for hospitality and gifts he had received since entering Downing Street.

But one government minister told The Times there is confusion over what they can and can’t accept, accusing the prime minister of having let the row drag on.

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story below:

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver her inaugural address at the Mansion House dinner in mid-November.

Sources from Sky News revealed that the Treasury, Bank of England, and City of London Corporation have confirmed the dinner for 14 November.

The high-profile gathering will take place just two weeks after Ms Reeves presents her first 30 October Budget, with expectations mounting for significant tax increases.

Ed Miliband has made it clear that the funds for the government’s ambitious carbon capture plans will be sourced through borrowing.

This marks a notable departure from the usual rhetoric of the current government, which typically focuses on saving rather than spending.

In recent weeks, there has been mounting concern regarding the prevailing sense of doom and gloom emanating from Labour, especially in light of the potential financial pain forecasted from the upcoming Budget on 30 October.

The Tories fear the bleak outlook could have dampened investment confidence leaving businesses apprehensive about prospects.

However, there has been a shift in tone, which was noticeable during the Labour conference speech delivered by a smiling Rachel Reeves.

Mr Miliband echoed this sentiment during the media rounds, telling Sky News: “I am in politics for change and hope, not for doom and gloom.”

Labour is still cautious about how much the minister can discuss about green investment spending, as it could somewhat conflict with the chancellor’s message for fiscal rectitude.

But it appears that the energy secretary has been granted more leeway to advocate for a greener future without the usual warnings.

The energy minister has opened the door to the introduction of annual targets for electric vehicle (EV) charging point installations across the UK.

Ed Miliband acknowledged the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure to support the country’s transition to greener transport.

Asked about whether an annual target was needed, Mr Miliband told broadcasters: “Happy to look at that. We’ll look at all of these things.

“We’re working on a plan across government to make sure that we have the charging infrastructure in place that we need. The country is only going in one direction which is towards EVs. Now we can either go slowly, lose out competitively and not meet our climate targets or we can do the right thing and drive forward with this.”

The energy secretary has urged the Labour Party to refrain from offering private companies meetings with ministers in exchange for financial contributions.

Ed Miliband’s warning comes following revelations that Labour’s commercial team proposed a £30,000 package for business leaders to gain insights from business secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

Asked about his message to his party, Mr Miliband told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Don’t do it again is my message.”

He also defended his cabinet colleague Mr Reynolds, claiming that the minister was “completely unaware of this invitation”, adding: “He is not attending this.”

Mr Miliband also said: “The answer is – whether it is me or Jonathan Reynolds – it is not about paying to have access. That is not what we are about, no.”

He also said Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to repay £6,000 worth of donations sends “a signal” and was a “prelude” to introducing new rules on gifts for ministers.

Keir Starmer’s lead in the polls has barely been dented after another week of criticism for the prime minister and his government over gifts and blanket coverage of the Tory leadership contest.

The latest weekly Techne UK tracker poll has revealed that Labour’s share of the vote dropped just one point to 31 per cent while the Tories gained one to 23 per cent.

Our political editor David Maddox has the full story below:

Jonathan Powell, the prime minister’s special envoy for negotiations with Mauritius, has dismissed concerns that China could establish a military base in the Chagos Islands.

In an interview with Times radio, he emphasised the close involvement of US officials in the negotiation process, claiming that “every single sentence and paragraph” of the agreement underwent scrutiny by various agencies in Washington.

Mr Powell added that the Chinese base is just “hooey”. “It can’t happen, won’t happen,” he declared.

However, Tom Tugnedhtat raised concerns that the UK’s decision to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands could inadvertently pave the way for China to establish a military base there.

The Tory leadership candidate claimed that while Britain retains power over Diego Garcia, the only inhabited island and home to a key US/UK airbase, Mauritius has not assured that it will refrain from leasing other islands to foreign powers - including China.

Responding to the claims, Mr Powell said: “The fact that some of the newspapers have suggested Mauritius is an ally of China – it could hardly be further from the truth. Mauritius is very, very close to India and the Indians also have welcomed this agreement because they see it as so important for security in the Indian Ocean.

“Mauritius is one of only two countries in Africa that’s not a member of China’s Belt and Road (Initiative). So this notion that we’ve somehow given the Chagos Islands to an ally of China is rubbish, and anyway, the negotiations were started by the previous Tory government.”