Politics LIVE: Labour ministers worried Donald Trump could pull plug on 'stupid' Chagos deal
Ministers are increasingly concerned President Donald Trump could cancel the deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The President had previously derided the act as "stupid" and an "act of total weakness".
In a phone call between Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump, the Prime Minister chose not to mention the treaty, leading to concerns among ministers that the US leader does not understand the deal, reports The Times.
President Trump's British envoy Mark Burnett, initially briefed the President on its contents more than a year ago but diplomatic sources said more senior members of the administration had begun to assert themselves.
This includes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Ambassador in London Warren Stephens, who are among those who have been lobbied by Reform leader Nigel Farage or senior Conservatives.
Senior Conservatives have suggested their plan is to delay the legislation in the Lords for so long that it fails to pass before the end of the parliamentary session in May.
When pressed on if the deal was dead without American backing, a Downing Street spokesman said: "As the public would rightly expect, we’ve negotiated robust security provisions to protect the UK and the base for decades to come."
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Here's what's happening today in Westminster
Good morning from all of us on the GB News Politics team, here's what's driving the day in Westminster and beyond.
Our very own Political Editor Chris Hope is currently en route to Beijing alongside the Prime Minister. Friends of GB News can read up why he's headed to China here.
Meanwhile, back in Westminster, it's Deputy Prime Minister's Questions as David Lammy is up to the dispatch box. The Conservatives have not yet confirmed who they'll be putting up to face him.
Angela Rayner has reportedly urged Labour’s leadership to "do better" at a private fundraising dinner as she teased a return to frontline politics ahead of the crucial by-election in Manchester. Our reporter Dan McDonald has the story here.
North of the border, the Conservatives are looking to defend a seat in Scotland after the jailing of a local councillor triggered a by-election. Ben McCaffrey has done a deep dive into the Bearsden South ward in East Dunbartonshire here.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter


