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UK Government Faces Backlash Over Costly Diego Garcia Lease

10/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The UK government faces opposition over a deal to lease Diego Garcia back from Mauritius.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the deal costs taxpayers £3.4 billion, while critics fear £30 billion.
Opposition MPs, including Conservatives and Reform UK, propose amendments to block payments to Mauritius and demand legal justifications.
Concerns about Labour's ties to China center on national security adviser Jonathan Powell's role in a controversial espionage case.

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Story summary

The UK government faces opposition over a deal to lease Diego Garcia back from Mauritius.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the deal costs taxpayers £3.4 billion, while critics fear £30 billion.
Opposition MPs, including Conservatives and Reform UK, propose amendments to block payments to Mauritius and demand legal justifications.
Concerns about Labour's ties to China center on national security adviser Jonathan Powell's role in a controversial espionage case.