The Independent has obtained exclusive information regarding a Nigel Farage-inspired plan to convince Donald Trump to veto Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial Chagos Islands deal. Legal advice on the deal was sent to Mr. Trump after Farage raised the issue with the former president’s team. The advice, prepared by experts who worked with Farage during Brexit, aims to persuade Trump to block the deal if he returns to office.
The legal advice questions Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s assertion that the UK had no choice but to hand over the islands to Mauritius and raises concerns about potential Chinese influence on the strategically located islands. The note also criticizes the 99-year leaseback agreement, suggesting it is less secure than sovereignty and could leave the UK and US vulnerable to pressure from China.
While the current US administration supports the agreement, fears have been raised about the implications of the deal, particularly in terms of national and global security. The legal note argues that the International Court of Justice ruling in favor of Mauritius’ claim is only advisory and raises doubts about the long-term security of the arrangement.
Critics of the deal, including Farage and his allies, are hoping that Trump will heed their calls to block it if he returns to power. The Independent has reached out to Trump’s representatives for comment, but the White House has not responded to queries about the potential for reversing the deal.
The Chagos Islands deal, signed by Sir Keir’s government after just three months in office, has sparked controversy and accusations of election interference. Allies of Farage are pushing for Trump’s intervention to prevent what they see as a detrimental agreement that could have far-reaching consequences for UK and US interests in the region. The Independent will continue to monitor developments related to this story and provide updates as they unfold.
