Tories to introduce bill to block government's 'surrender' deal over the Chagos islands
The Conservatives are set to introduce a bill that would block the government's deal over the Chagos islands.
Last month, the prime minister announced that a deal had been agreed with Mauritius to give them control of the Chagos Islands.
In exchange, the UK would be allowed to lease a military base in the territory for the next 99 years for an average of 拢101m a year.
The whole deal was estimated to cost the UK around 拢3.4bn, though other people have estimated it could cost as much as 拢30bn - something the government disputes.
Now, Priti Patel will introduce a bill to parliament today, which aims to stop this deal from happening.
The bill will specify that the Chagos Achipelago falls under British sovereignty and cannot be negotiated away without parliamentary approval.
It will also seek to prevent any money being given to foreign governments unless authorised by parliament.
The Tories have accused Labour of refusing to grant a debate in the Commons on the deal during the treaty ratification process, which they have called a "desperate attempt to avoid scrutiny and subvert democracy".
The bill is being introduced before the government's own legislation on the deal - and will also require British Chagossians to be consulted.
The government's deal was briefly held up after Chagossians sought an emergency injunction in the courts, which was later dismissed.
Currently, the UK has agreed to pay 拢40m a year as part of a Chagos Devlopment Fund, though the Conservatives say this is at Mauritius' discretion.
Surrender deal has betrayed British Chagossians
The shadow foreign secretary said: "Labour鈥檚 Chagos surrender deal undermines our national security, will cost British taxpayers 拢30bn and has betrayed British Chagossians.
"Keir Starmer and David Lammy have been too busy cosying up to their left-wing lawyer friends and activists to defend our national interests."
Patel added that "parliament must put a stop" to the deal and "legislate to protect our sovereignty".