Story perspectives

Burnham Eyes £35bn Chagos Transfer to Mauritius, Trump Warns

7/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Andy Burnham, prospective Labour leader, plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, costing £35 billion.
National security adviser Jonathan Powell is reported to have guided Burnham’s thinking.
U.S. President Donald Trump called Burnham ‘the mayor of a town’ and warned the handover would anger United States.
Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty said Conservative and Reform UK pressure shelved the deal, leaving legal experts split on possible UK compensation to Mauritius.

1 of 1

Story summary

Andy Burnham, prospective Labour leader, plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, costing £35 billion.
National security adviser Jonathan Powell is reported to have guided Burnham’s thinking.
U.S. President Donald Trump called Burnham ‘the mayor of a town’ and warned the handover would anger United States.
Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty said Conservative and Reform UK pressure shelved the deal, leaving legal experts split on possible UK compensation to Mauritius.