Britain’s government has insisted there is “no pause” in its planned sovereignty transfer of the Chagos Islands, despite confusion sparked by ministerial remarks suggesting that legislation was being temporarily halted while talks with Washington continue.
A government source said timings for the bill would be announced “in the usual way,” rejecting suggestions that the process had been frozen. The clarification came after a tense exchange in Parliament that raised fresh uncertainty over the future of the controversial deal.
Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told MPs that the UK was “pausing” while “discussions” were held with the United States. His comments appeared to contradict earlier assurances that the treaty was proceeding normally.
The agreement would see Britain cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius, while leasing back the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia for an average annual cost of £101 million over 99 years.
Political tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump publicly urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abandon the deal. Writing on Truth Social, Trump called the proposed handover “a blight on our great ally” and argued the territory should remain British.
Despite Trump’s intervention, the US Department of State had earlier expressed official support for the treaty, underscoring mixed signals from Washington that have complicated London’s diplomatic balancing act.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Falconer stressed that talks with American counterparts were ongoing. “We will bring that back to Parliament at the appropriate time,” he said, framing the delay as procedural rather than political.
The legislation, formally titled the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, is currently awaiting its next stage in the House of Lords. It has not appeared on the order paper for weeks, adding to speculation of a slowdown.
Opposition parties have seized on the uncertainty. The Conservative Party has long opposed the handover, arguing it weakens Britain’s strategic posture and burdens taxpayers with heavy costs. Critics say the lease payments far exceed the benefits.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told MPs there was “no historical or cultural basis” for Mauritius to claim the islands. He warned that the region could become a flashpoint for larger geopolitical rivalries.
Farage also suggested the Maldives might pursue its own claim through the International Court of Justice, potentially complicating the dispute further. No formal filing has yet been confirmed.
Shadow foreign minister Wendy Morton said the agreement would leave Britain “weaker, poorer and less safe,” describing it as a political decision rather than a legal necessity. She accused ministers of ignoring security risks tied to the base.
Ministers argue the treaty is essential after international legal rulings challenged Britain’s control of the archipelago. They maintain that transferring sovereignty while retaining military access safeguards both legal standing and operational stability for Western forces in the Indian Ocean.
The islands have been under British control since the early 19th century, and residents were forcibly removed in the 1960s to make way for the military facility. Many displaced Chagossians say neither London nor Mauritius has adequately addressed their right of return.
For now, the government insists the legislation is moving forward. But with parliamentary delays, American political pressure, and domestic opposition mounting, the future of one of Britain’s most sensitive overseas territories remains far from settled.
