Overview
- The government, which disclosed Saturday it lacks the U.S. sign-off it says is essential, has paused the treaty bill and is not expected to include it in the next King’s Speech.
- President Donald Trump withdrew support after earlier backing, calling the handover a “big mistake” and an “act of great stupidity,” and UK officials say they will not proceed without his administration’s approval.
- Officials say the required exchange of notes with Washington never arrived, a routine diplomatic step that must be completed before Parliament can ratify the agreement.
- The UK–Mauritius deal would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia back to Britain for 99 years to preserve U.S. operations, with reporting estimating costs near £35 billion over the century.
- Mauritius vows new diplomatic and legal steps to reclaim the archipelago, and displaced Chagossians continue to oppose the plan over fears it would not secure a real route to return.