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Chagos Islands Deal Costs Skyrocket to £35 Billion

8/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A shocking revelation has surfaced regarding the Chagos Islands deal, with costs soaring to £35 billion—far exceeding the £3.4 billion figure presented by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. This discrepancy, uncovered through a Freedom of Information request, has ignited accusations of misleading Parliament, leading Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel to call for government accountability.

History

Historical Context

In 1965, the UK detached the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, establishing the British Indian Ocean Territory and facilitating the U.S. military base at Diego Garcia. This separation, deemed unlawful by the International Court of Justice in 2019, has led to ongoing disputes over sovereignty and compensation, with costs now estimated at £35 billion, highlighting historical patterns of colonial exploitation.

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Story summary

A shocking revelation has surfaced regarding the Chagos Islands deal, with costs soaring to £35 billion—far exceeding the £3.4 billion figure presented by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. This discrepancy, uncovered through a Freedom of Information request, has ignited accusations of misleading Parliament, leading Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel to call for government accountability.

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