The UK government has abruptly paused legislation to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands following sharp criticism from President Trump. The deal threatened a long-standing US-UK military agreement tied to Diego Garcia, a key strategic base. Under pressure from Washington and domestic opposition, Prime Minister Keir Starmer reversed course.
Starmer pulled the Chagos Islands bill after Trump blasted it as “great stupidity,” warning it risked a key US-UK treaty protecting Diego Garcia. Facing U.S. backlash and Tory pressure, London backed down at the last minute. #ChagosIslands #DiegoGarcia#Trump #Starmer #UK pic.twitter.com/xfpQcAQkjt
— Matthew Brady (@mattbrady775) January 24, 2026
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer abruptly pulled legislation transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
- The bill risked undermining a 60-year-old US–UK treaty that enables operations at the Diego Garcia military base.
- Donald Trump, now serving as U.S. president, publicly condemned the deal on Truth Social as “great stupidity” and “total weakness.”
- Trump warned the move could threaten U.S. national security and cited it as justification for U.S. control of Greenland.
- Facing backlash from Washington and warnings from UK Conservatives, Starmer halted the bill just before a House of Lords debate.
- British officials remain divided on whether Trump’s remarks reflect firm U.S. policy or negotiating pressure.
