CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

FOREIGN AFFAIRS – SOVEREIGNTY OF THE CHAGOS ISLANDS - 18 December 2024

FOREIGN AFFAIRS – SOVEREIGNTY OF THE CHAGOS ISLANDS - 18 December 2024

Sir Julian Lewis: It is truly baffling that such decent Ministers have allowed themselves to be bamboozled by the blob. Will the Minister confirm that this is not being rushed through in advance of the takeover of the White House by an incoming President in one month’s time? If, in one month’s time, that new President says that this is a terrible deal, will it be too late to change it?

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty): The right hon. Gentleman knows that I have immense respect for him and his work in this House. I take issue with his choice of words. We have incredible officials in this Government who have loyally served Governments from parties on both sides of this House. They work incredibly hard to defend the national security and interests of this country. If anything, this was not rushed at all: there were 11 rounds of negotiations under the Government of the right hon. Gentleman’s party. We got in and we got a deal done that protects our national security and our interests.]