UK politics live: Furious Chagos Islands row erupts as Tories accused of risking losing key air base in courts

A Labour source has hit back at the Tories’ after the fierce criticism from leadership candidates over the government’s decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

They said: “Labour inherited a legal car crash that could have left this vital military base in the hands of the court, damaging the UK and the US’ national security.”

In 2021, the Conservative government was urged to end its “unlawful occupation” of the Chagos Islands by the prime minister of Mauritius after Britain’s claim to sovereignty was rejected by the UN court.

But the Foreign Office argued it had not been party of the court proceedings so it was under no obligation to comply with the ruling.

The UK then underwent a long period of negotiations with Mauritius to settle the issue.

The source added: “James Cleverly and the Tories tried and failed in 11 rounds of negotiations, putting our national security interests at risk.

“The new government did the deal to secure the base and shut off a potential illegal migration route.

“You wouldn’t get the US President applauding the deal if it put US interests at risk.”

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Jonathan Powell, who was appointed only a month ago, has been at the forefront of the Chagos Islands’ negotiations.

The former Tony Blair’s chief of staff was also a key figure in negotiating the Good Friday agreement.

Mr Powell said the securing the deal was “genuinely historic” and he had negotiated “intensively”.

Asked about the criticism from Tory leadership candidates on the deal, he said: “I do think these comments from the Tory leadership candidates are a bit silly.

“James Cleverly was leading these negotiations not that many months ago with the Mauritian government [when he was foreign secretary].”

He added: “What this government has done has been able to conclude it, because that government managed to lose the trust of the Mauritian government during the process.

“So for the people who were involved in that negotiation to start criticising the outcome of something they couldn’t achieve is absolutely ludicrous.”

The Reform UK leader told The Telegraph: “Giving up the Chagos Islands is a strategic disaster.

“Our American allies will be furious and Beijing delighted. Labour are making the world a more dangerous place.”

James Cleverly has condemned Sir Keir Starmer as “weak, weak, weak” for handing the Chagos Islands to Mauritius - despite having kicked off negotiations over the deal when he was foreign secretary.

After a barnstorming conference, which catapulted Mr Cleverly to second favourite in the Tory leadership contest, the misstep threatened to derail his momentum.

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Rupert Lowe has joined the Tories in criticising the government’s decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The Reform MP tweeted: “The British government is now actively undermining British interests overseas. A total surrender.

“Speaking to contacts in Gibraltar, they are incredibly concerned following the Chagos Islands capitulation - ‘the thin end of the wedge’...

“The message is loud and clear - this Labour government is a disgrace.”

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It stands in stark contrast to the 2023 gathering, when Rishi Sunak’s government made a series of last-minute policy announcements, including offshoring prisoners, cutting civil servants, and controversially scrapping HS2.

As the conference unfolds, our chief political commentator John Rentoul has been answering your burning questions on the leadership contest, the fallout from the election defeat, and more.

Catch up on the full Ask Me Anything Q&A here.