Overview
- Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told MPs the process was being paused for US talks, before officials said he had misspoken and insisted there is no pause or deadline.
- Communities minister Alison McGovern said the agreement will “100%” go ahead, though the government has not scheduled the bill’s next stage in the House of Lords since January 20.
- A government spokesperson reiterated that the UK will not proceed without US backing and confirmed discussions with American counterparts are ongoing.
- President Donald Trump renewed his criticism on February 18, calling the deal a “big mistake” and urging the UK not to “give away Diego Garcia.”
- The 2025 package would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia for about 99 years, with widely reported payments around £34.7–£35 billion over the term and continued strategic access for US and UK forces.