UK pauses its plan to cede Chagos Islands after US opposition

LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) – Britain’s government said on Saturday it had put on hold its deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands – home to the U.S.-British Diego Garcia air base – which has been criticised by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Times newspaper said planned legislation underpinning the deal to cede the islands to Mauritius, which needs the backing of Washington, would not be included in the government’s next parliamentary agenda.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said London would try to persuade Washington to give its formal approval.

Trump said in February that the deal was a “big mistake” nL1N3ZE0XS, having previously said it was the best that Starmer would get.

Under the deal, Britain would retain control of the strategically important military base on Diego Garcia on a 99-year lease that preserves U.S. operations there.

A British government spokesperson said ensuring the long-term operational security of Diego Garcia would remain a priority.

“We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has U.S. support. We are continuing to engage with the U.S. and Mauritius,” the spokesperson said.

The alliance between Washington and London has come under strain in recent weeks over Starmer’s reluctance to get involved in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran https://www.reuters.com/world/iran/ and his refusal at the start of the conflict to allow Trump to use British air bases to launch attacks.

U.S. forces have since been permitted to carry out what the prime minister calls defensive strikes.

Trump has also repeatedly criticised the British leader, saying he was “not Winston Churchill L8N3ZR0JI” and had ruined what is often called a “special relationship” between Britain and the U.S.

(Writing by William Schomberg and Suban AbdullaEditing by Gareth Jones)