Keir Starmer claimed “Russia, China, Iran” opposed his Chagos deal but records show it’s welcomed and even offer “massive congratulations.”
MPs are now demanding that Starmer retract his claim and provide a full explanation in Parliament. The pressure is mounting for the Government to pause ratification of the Chagos deal until proper scrutiny has taken place.
Keir Starmer is facing another credibility crisis after making what appears to be a brazenly false claim about international opposition to his controversial Chagos Islands deal.
The Prime Minister told the public that “Russia, China, Iran” were all against the agreement – but a Chinese ambassador has openly praised it as a diplomatic triumph.
Starmer told journalists last week:
“It is worth reminding ourselves who is in favour of this treaty, this deal, and who’s against it. In favour are all of our allies: the US, NATO, Five Eyes, India. Against it: Russia, China, Iran and, surprisingly, the leader of the opposition and Nigel Farage are in that column alongside Russia, China and Iran.”
But this narrative is now under serious scrutiny.
In stark contrast to Starmer’s claim, the Chinese Ambassador to Mauritius, Huang Shifang, warmly applauded the deal, offering “massive congratulations” and describing China as “a trustworthy friend of Mauritius”. According to respected local newspaper Le Mauricien, Chinese diplomats hailed the Chagos deal as an “historical achievement” and applauded Mauritius’s “quest to support territorial integrity”.
The report, published under the headline “Diplomatie et relations bilatérales – Deal Chagos : ‘Massive congratulation’”, leaves little room for interpretation. The ambassador’s statement directly contradicts the Prime Minister’s public assertions about Chinese opposition.
This raises serious questions about Starmer’s honesty and judgement – and about what else he might be misleading the public on. Critics have been quick to pounce. Lord Ross Kempsell, a Conservative peer, said:
“All opposition must get serious – this is easy stuff.”
Political opponents of Starmer are expressing disbelief at what appears to be a deliberate attempt to misrepresent geopolitical facts in order to force through a deeply divisive deal.
The Chagos agreement – which sees the UK hand over sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius in exchange for a £101 million-a-year lease of the Diego Garcia military base – has already provoked alarm across Westminster. Critics say it weakens the UK’s global position, sells out British territory, and hands China a propaganda win.
Not only has Keir Starmer agreed to surrender British territory to Mauritius, but he has also committed the British taxpayer to handing over an eye-watering £3.4 billion over a 99-year lease – a figure that could soar to around £30 billion once inflation is accounted for. On top of that, hundreds of millions more are earmarked for so-called “economic development” and resettlement schemes.
Yet the Chagossian people – the very community this is purportedly meant to help – have made it abundantly clear that they wish to remain British. Many feel utterly betrayed and ignored. In fact, they’ve threatened legal action against the Labour government, branding the agreement a “disgrace” and condemning the complete lack of consultation.
Just last week, two Chagossian individuals successfully brought the deal before the High Court, halting it in its tracks. But in a swift and controversial move, the judge ruled in Starmer’s favour. Without further scrutiny, without consulting Parliament, and without asking the British public whether they wished to give up sovereign territory, Starmer signed the deal on the spot.
This has fuelled widespread outrage – not just over the eye-watering cost, but over what critics say is a fundamental betrayal of national interest and democratic process.
Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, has slammed the agreement as “wrong-headed, wasteful, and dangerous”, warning it undermines British strategic interests and hands leverage to adversaries.
What is now beyond doubt is that Keir Starmer either did not know the facts – or deliberately misled the public. Both scenarios are deeply concerning.
Many MPs are now demanding that Starmer retract his claim and provide a full explanation in Parliament. The pressure is mounting for the Government to pause ratification of the deal until proper scrutiny has taken place.
With trust in politicians already fragile, Starmer’s cavalier handling of this major diplomatic issue is raising red flags across the board. At best, it was a careless misrepresentation. At worst, an outright lie. Either way, the Prime Minister has serious explaining to do.
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