Donald Trump has dramatically shifted his stance over the Chagos Islands deal once again, after lashing out at Sir Keir Starmer for making a “big mistake”.
Just hours after the US government announced its support for the UK government’s agreement, the president wrote in a post on social media: “I have been telling prime minister Keir Starmer, of the United Kingdom, that leases are no good when it comes to countries, and that he is making a big mistake by entering a 100 Year Lease.”
The UK is paying £35 billion over the next century to retain control of Diego Garcia as part of its 99-year lease of the islands to Mauritius.
Mr Trump had called the deal an act of “great stupidity” last month before quickly U-turning and saying the agreement was “the best” Sir Keir could strike.
Following Wednesday’s latest outburst, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The post should be taken as the policy of the Trump administration.”
The Foreign Office defended the deal, saying it was “crucial” to the UK’s security.
