Andy Burnham set to push ahead with Keir Starmer's £35billion Chagos surrender deal

Wannabe Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to complete Labour's doomed Chagos Islands giveaway.

The foreign policy blunder, which played a substantial role in the downfall of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, is expected to cost taxpayers billions of pounds.

Multiple sources familiar with Mr Burnham's thinking have claimed the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor is heavily influenced by Sir Keir's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell.

Mr Powell, who is expected to keep in his role after Mr Burnham secures the keys to No10, referred to Britain's vital strategic territory as "very tiny islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean where no one actually goes".

Continuation of Sir Keir's Chagos policy is expected to enrage Donald Trump and derail Mr Burnham's wider attempt to reset relations with Washington.

The US President berated Sir Keir over the botched deal, publicly withdrawing US support earlier this year.

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