Sir Keir’s Chagos agreement hits a snag as Mauritius’ government negotiator gets arrested — apparently taking “laundering” a bit too literally!

Taxpayers are raising eyebrows — and probably their calculators — over the Government’s £18bn spending spree. Is it an investment or just an expensive way to lose everyone’s loose change?

The Government’s escalating Chagos crisis took a significant and unexpected twist over the weekend — because clearly, nothing says “relaxing weekend” like a geopolitical plot twist. Here’s an update with the most recent developments, served with a side of suspense and just a pinch of chaos.

On Saturday, former Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth had his residence searched for three hours by officers from the country’s Financial Crimes Commission. The 63-year-old, along with his wife, Kobita Jugnauth, was detained and questioned for several hours, according to Agence France-Presse.

While Kobita Jugnauth was later released, Pravind Jugnauth was formally arrested in the early hours of Sunday on allegations of corruption and money laundering. This development followed the earlier arrest of an associate linked to the former prime minister, at whose residence police discovered suitcases filled with bundles of cash and luxury watches. Mr. Jugnauth has denied all charges.

The arrest of Pravind Jugnauth has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Mauritius, with many calling for transparency and accountability. Supporters of the former prime minister have rallied to his defence, claiming the charges are politically motivated. On the other hand, opposition leaders argue that the investigation highlights the urgent need to address corruption and strengthen oversight mechanisms within the government.

The Financial Crimes Commission has stated that the investigation is ongoing and that more individuals connected to the case may be summoned for questioning. Analysts believe this case could have far-reaching implications for Mauritius, not only politically but also in terms of its international reputation as a financial hub.

As the legal proceedings unfold, public opinion remains deeply divided. Some view the developments as a necessary step toward justice, while others fear it could destabilize the country’s political environment. Meanwhile, Pravind Jugnauth’s legal team has vowed to fight the charges vigorously, insisting on his innocence and accusing authorities of overreach.

The arrest has sparked political turmoil in Mauritius, with opposition leaders calling for greater transparency regarding the Chagos negotiations. Critics argue that the allegations against the former Prime Minister could cast doubt on the integrity of the agreement, potentially complicating future diplomatic efforts between Mauritius and the United Kingdom.

As the investigation unfolds, questions are being raised about the potential impact on the ongoing discussions surrounding the sovereignty and resettlement of the Chagos Islands. Observers note that this development could further strain relations between the two nations at a time when trust and cooperation are crucial to resolving the decades-long dispute.

Meanwhile, officials in London are playing the classic “no comment” card, insisting the deal was made in good faith and in line with international law — because nothing says trust like a stiff upper lip and a well-worded press release.

As the investigation unfolds, people are wondering if this twist will throw a wrench into the ongoing discussions about sovereignty and resettlement of the Chagos Islands. Observers note this could further strain relations between the two nations, just when they need to play nice. After all, resolving a decades-long dispute is hard enough without turning it into an episode of “Diplomatic Survivor: Island Edition.”

The latest scandal further deepens the reputational troubles plaguing the new Government. It marks yet another blow in a relentless series of negative press stories eroding the standing and waning popularity of the British Prime Minister. Mr Jugnauth, the key figure in last year’s negotiations with Sir Keir and David Lammy over the initial Chagos sovereignty surrender agreement, has now seen the deal escalate from its original £9 billion to an astonishing £18 billion of British taxpayers’ money.

Where are the islands of Mauritius and where are the Chagos Islands it claims?

In 1965, the United Kingdom separated the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius, creating the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This decision occurred three years before Mauritius gained independence in 1968. The separation has been a point of contention, with Mauritius claiming sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, arguing that the detachment violated international law.

In recent years, this dispute has garnered significant attention on the global stage. In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion stating that the United Kingdom’s continued administration of the Chagos Archipelago is unlawful and that the islands should be returned to Mauritius. Despite this, the United Kingdom has maintained its position, citing strategic interests, particularly the presence of a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago.

The situation remains unresolved, with Mauritius continuing to seek international support for its claim, emphasizing historical ties and legal arguments to assert its sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.

A fresh scandal surrounding Sir Keir emerged over the weekend.

As outlined earlier, on Saturday, 15 February 2025, the former Mauritian Prime Minister — who had previously met with Sir Keir and David Lammy and was involved in negotiating the original Chagos agreement — came under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering. By Sunday, Mr Jugnauth had been formally arrested. He was subsequently granted bail by a judge, and further legal proceedings are now pending. Mr Jugnauth has denied all charges. Responding to this development, the Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, stated.

“The fact that the architect of the appalling Chagos deal has now been interrogated in a money-laundering probe puts a huge question mark over the future of the proposals. It raises the red flag that any money paid by Britain to Mauritius may end up being misappropriated for personal gain.

“It’s yet another reason why Keir Starmer should abandon his awful proposal, which will see billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money disappearing into what could be an unaccountable black hole where there are huge concerns about corruption.

“Paying billions to give away territory that has been British for hundreds of years while undermining our security at the same time is madness, and can only be explained by Keir Starmer trying to impress his lawyer friends. This whole deal defies common sense, and this revelation makes it even worse.”

Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, 15 Feb 2024

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel called on Keir Starmer to pull the brakes on the Chagos deal so hard it leaves skid marks.

“From the start, this Labour Government has refused to be straight with Parliament and the British public about their negotiations to surrender the Chagos Islands, hiding from scrutiny at every turn. The Government must disclose everything they know about this latest development, which affects our national interests.”

- Shadow Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, 15 Feb 2025

The attitude of the UK government

Negotiations with the Mauritius government initially began under the Conservative administration. However, when David Cameron assumed the role of Foreign Secretary, he halted the process, deeming it unnecessary to continue. The discussions resumed later under Sir Keir Stammer's Labour government, following directives from David Lammy, the Labour Foreign Secretary.

The attitude of the USA

The Biden Administration has supported a UK-Mauritius negotiation to transfer control of the Chagos Islands, with plans to lease back the Diego Garcia military base, aligning with its legal advisors’ recommendations. In contrast, both former President Trump and Senator Rubio strongly oppose the proposal. Their concerns stem from the possibility of handing the islands to a government with close ties to China and the potential risk of smaller islands in the archipelago being used for intelligence-gathering operations near the base.

The US military base

Diego Garcia, the largest island in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), hosts a significant U.S. naval base known as the “Naval Support Facility.” Between July and September 1971, the Chagos Islanders were compelled to leave their homeland, with many accepting UK citizenship, to make way for the establishment of the base on the main island.

This displacement has remained a contentious issue, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and sparking legal battles over the right of the Chagossians to return to their homeland. Despite these disputes, Diego Garcia continues to serve as a strategically vital location for U.S. military operations, providing logistical support, surveillance capabilities, and a critical foothold in the Indian Ocean region. The base plays a key role in regional security and global military strategy, underscoring its geopolitical significance.

New scares and arguments

Struggling to win over the British public on the Agreement, the Government now warns that if the UK clings to the Chagos Islands, the UN might somehow block the Diego Garcia base from using the electromagnetic spectrum — because apparently, the UN moonlights as a cosmic traffic cop. Yet, sovereign nations can freely use the spectrum within their borders, and let’s be honest, the UN doesn’t exactly have a fleet of battleships ready to enforce a Wi-Fi blackout. So it’s just an empty threat without substance

The government also claims it could violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, the UK’s signature on the agreement explicitly exempts defence activities — so unless the ocean suddenly became a lawyer, this argument doesn’t hold much water.

A major concern is defence and how up to £18 billion might be used to pay Mauritius in some form of reparations agreement, rather than being spent on the UK’s defence or on the country’s other priorities.

A significant concern revolves around the allocation of funds for defence, particularly the possibility that up to £18 billion may be designated for reparations to Mauritius. Critics worry that such an allocation could detract from essential investments in the UK’s military capabilities and other vital national priorities, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure. This situation raises important questions about the balance between addressing historical injustices and ensuring the safety and security of the nation.

A final word from Sir John Redwood, asking if the Attorney General must now go

“The UK government’s international lawyers led by Attorney General Lord Hermer are undermining US and UK security by giving away the freehold of a crucial base, important to the defence of Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan. Their grasp of the law overlooks the fact that neither the ICJ nor the UN General Assembly have the power to force the UK to give up Chagos.

“At a time when we need to spend more on useful defence, spending £9bn to £18bn to lease-back something we own is madness. Maybe this is sufficiently foolish to speed the removal of the Attorney General, who is subject to many criticisms from his own Labour colleagues. As one of them said, instead of the rule of law he wants the rule of lawyers. They happen to be lawyers who usually think the UK is in the wrong. President Trump would appreciate an ally who did not destabilise one of their major bases.”

There we have it. Its utter madness However there is another point I want to make

If you’ve been keeping up with the soap opera that is Labour’s Chagos deal, grab some popcorn because this twist is a doozy.

It turns out, back in 2022, Philippe Sands KC — Keir Starmer’s legal BFF and Mauritius’ go-to lawyer — decided to play pirate and landed in the British Indian Ocean Territory without so much as a “by your leave” from the UK.

Not only that but Sands — clearly feeling like the star of his movie — helped raise the Mauritian flag over UK territory. Yes, you read that correctly: he planted a flag like he was auditioning for Pirates of the Caribbean:

To top it off, Sands posted a now-deleted tweet that read, “It’s morning on Chagos, where the flag of Mauritius flies, proving that the rule of law is not only a dream.” Inspirational? Maybe. Ill-advised? Definitely. The tweet may be gone, but its legacy lives on — in a propaganda video from none other than China Daily, the Chinese state-owned media. Because nothing says “rule of law” like a cameo in a Beijing-backed production. Connect the dots however you like.

Here’s the juicy backstory:

Mauritius followed through on its long-standing threat to Britain, sending a boatload of officials to the Chagos Archipelago without permission. This bold move has left Britain, which administers the disputed islands, in a diplomatic pickle. Among the delegation were Mauritius’ legal adviser, British academic Professor Philippe Sands, Mauritian government officials, and Chagossians.

Oh, and let’s not forget the British and American journalists tagging along for the ride, probably hoping for their Pulitzer moment. The group’s destination? The remote Blenheim Reef, a partially submerged atoll about 230 kilometres north of Diego Garcia, is home to a major US–UK military base. Because what could go wrong?”

With Sands playing flag-raiser-in-chief, it’s starting to look like Starmer’s enthusiasm for handing over sovereignty to Mauritius isn’t just a coincidence. Between Powell’s chats in Washington and Lammy’s meetings with Rubio, Labour seems to be sprinting towards the diplomatic equivalent of a banana peel. Someone pass the popcorn; this is getting good.

However, it gets far worse

Because the more I delve into the Chagos Islands affair the more worried I am for my country

Labour’s decision to relinquish the Chagos Islands is both feeble and deeply concerning,

Surrendering our territory while footing the bill is not only reckless but also undermines our national security. Adding to the controversy is the involvement of lawyers closely linked to Sir Keir Starmer, raising legitimate questions that demand answers.

Philippe Sands KC, serving as the lead negotiator for the Mauritian Government, previously supported Starmer’s campaign for Labour leadership, referring to him as a “great friend.” Sands has also remarked on using his legal work to “humiliate” Britain.

Now, why would anyone British want to “humiliate” Britain?

Lord Hermer, a close friend of Keir Starmer for over 30 years and a donor to his leadership campaign, is now serving as a representative for the British Government on the negotiating team. Notably, Lord Hermer is also recognised for his past collaborations with Gerry Adams. At the same time, Starmer is proposing to allocate millions of pounds to Gerry Adams, along with other IRA members and sympathisers — prompting speculation about whether Hermer influenced this decision.

Before he was appointed Attorney General, Lord Hemer spent ten years working alongside Philippe Sands at Matrix Chambers. It could be described as a meeting of sharp legal minds — though Sands, with his openly stated ambition to use his expertise to “humiliate” Britain, appeared to be honing his skills for a more dramatic stage..

Is the realisation finally setting in of what is going on between the three of them?

Especially when we know that Starmer as a young Marxist went to Communist Czechoslovakia. This was at a critical time in the Cold War when hardline Communists were still doing all they could to undermine the West, and the Czechoslovak security service played a key role in this. We know they recruited agents among British Labour Party MPs. the Labour MP John Stonehouse was one, we know Jeremy Corbyn was tapped up by them and Corbyn before being betrayed by Starmer was a good friend of Starmer.

There is a bad smell about all this and its not me farting, Europe to all intent and purpose is now mostly free of Communism, but here’s the rub China is still a Communist country and who wants to control the those islands? None other than China as they are in a strategic part of the world.

We have a Rat in charge of our country