Healey defends Chagos Islands deal as ‘vital' to UK's long-term interests
The Defence Secretary was asked about the upsides of 'giving away the Chagos Islands' as he spoke at the Royal United Services Institute's (Rusi) land warfare conference in central London.
Under the terms of the deal, the UK has agreed to pay Mauritius at least £120 million a year for 99 years in order to lease back the Diego Garcia base – a total cost of at least £13 billion in cash terms.
The joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia is seen as vital for western influence in the Indian Ocean, and is also home to important military and intelligence infrastructure.
Britain is ceding control of the archipelago to Mauritius, after the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on the UK's territorial claim in 2019 saying it should do so.
A £40 million fund has also been established for the Chagossians, who were expelled from the islands between 1965 and 1973 to make way for the Diego Garcia base and have not been allowed to return.
Asked by an audience member at the Rusi conference to set out the benefits of the deal, Mr Healey said: 'I mean, that's a description which is completely wrong.
'What we've done is to recognise that there were moves and jeopardy to our ability to continue to operate that sovereign base in an entirely sovereign way, jointly with the US.'
He listed the Trump administration, the UN, and Britain's Five Eyes intelligence allies among those who backed the deal.
Mr Healey added: 'This is the way that we secure our vital military and intelligence interests for the long-term, and this is the way that we secure what is perhaps the most important single contribution to that special relationship in defence and security and intelligence that we have in the US.'
'Did we have to do it?' the same audience member could be heard to ask.
'Yes,' Mr Healey replied.
As he spoke at the conference, Mr Healey also announced the Government was investing £100 million in 'new initial funding to develop land drone swarms'.
The swarms will fly alongside Apache helicopters to offer support in battle, Mr Healey said, as part of the UK's efforts to learn from Ukraine on drone warfare.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Bradford grooming cover-up left 8,000 children at risk of abuse, say campaigners
A cover-up of grooming gangs put up to 8,000 children at risk in Bradford, campaigners have claimed. Baroness Casey, whose damning audit of grooming cases was published on Monday, said she would be 'surprised' if Bradford was not one of the first areas to be part of a national inquiry into local obstruction and failings that have denied victims justice. A dossier, drawn up by a leading child abuse lawyer and MP, claims that at least 7,975 children in Bradford were at risk of sexual exploitation between 1996 and 2025, putting it on a par with similar scandals in Rochdale, Rotherham and Oldham. It outlines years of alleged systematic failures by Bradford council and partner agencies to protect vulnerable children from Asian grooming gangs operating in the city. It also contains disturbing first-hand accounts from survivors, police records and court proceedings. In the dossier, women who were victims of Asian grooming gangs in the city have named more than 60 other girls who were also abused by them. More than 70 men have been convicted or are being prosecuted for child sexual exploitation, rape or abuse. Bradford council has, until now, resisted demands from victims and campaigners for a full local inquiry into the scandal, arguing that it has already conducted serious case reviews. David Greenwood, the lawyer who compiled the dossier and played a key role in exposing abuse in Rotherham, said: 'I believe Bradford council is obstructing an independent insight into the scale and nature of sexual offending against children in what is termed grooming gang abuse. 'The council repeatedly quotes small-scale isolated case reviews as support for its view that a deeper inquiry is not required. Its arguments are disingenuous and contrary to the evidence.' Robbie Moore, the Tory MP for Bradford and a member of the home affairs select committee, said victims were frustrated that councils like the one in his city were using serious case reviews as an excuse for claiming that there was 'nothing more to see here'. He said: 'There is an overwhelming case for a full inquiry across the Bradford district, yet we have shockingly never had one. 'If Bradford's political leadership will not act, then the Government must.' Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, confirmed on Monday that the Government would back Baroness Casey's proposals for a national inquiry, where an independent commission will identify areas for local investigations with powers to compel witnesses to attend. It will focus on areas where there have been 'failures or obstruction by statutory services' to block inquiries into child sex grooming gangs. Speaking at the home affairs committee, Baroness Casey said: 'I would say if you were Bradford, if you were anywhere, in my report that we published yesterday, if you're any of the areas that are visible and identifiable, just be ready and be open to the fact that you may be the subject of one of the national inquiries. 'I'd be surprised if some of the areas, including Bradford, would not be subject to be part of the national inquiry. And it's absolutely right that I think MPs, victims, other people, are able to say, we want this to happen here.' Among those calling for an inquiry in Bradford is Fiona Goddard who was abused and exploited by an Asian grooming gang when she was living in a children's home in Bradford from the age of 14. Her groomers plied her with drugs and gifts. A court heard that she was 'in effect used as a prostitute' by another of her abusers. She has previously recounted how she was driven to suicidal thoughts and self-harm as a teenager. In February 2019, nine men were convicted of 22 offences against Ms Goddard and jailed. On Tuesday, appearing alongside Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, at a press conference on grooming gangs, she said: 'I fully believe that Bradford needs to be part of that, because the figures that you have seen in places in their previous inquiries are completely outnumbered by the scale of it in Bradford, and it would be so important to look at a place with such levels to be able to gain inside knowledge.' Ms Goddard has provided names of 14 other girls groomed by gang members. Another woman has named 61 girls who were victims. Since 2015, some 37 people have been convicted of child abuse or sexual exploitation, with a similar number on trial or on bail. Baroness Casey urged the Government not to drag its feet. She suggested it was 'not unreasonable' to expect ministers to adopt her 12 key recommendations, which include setting up a national inquiry, within six months.
The Independent
33 minutes ago
- The Independent
Why UK's economic growth has been downgraded
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has downgraded the UK 's economic growth forecast due to rising costs and weak business investment, impacting the government 's growth ambitions. The CBI now projects the UK economy to grow by 1.2 per cent this year, down from its previous forecast of 1.6 per cent, and has also lowered the 2026 growth forecast from 1.5 per cent to 1 per cent Higher employment costs, stemming from the autumn budget's increases to national insurance contributions and the national minimum wage, have led to higher pricing and reduced capital expenditure and hiring among firms, according to the CBI. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride criticised Labour 's policies, claiming that higher employment costs are killing growth. The CBI's chief economist, Louise Hellem, emphasised the need for the government to use its industrial strategy to drive a thriving environment for businesses, given the challenges posed by domestic and global headwinds.
The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war live: Day of mourning for Kyiv attack begins after G7 fails to condemn Putin
Ukraine is marking a day of mourning on Wednesday after what Volodymyr Zelensky described as one of the worst attacks on Kyiv since the war with Russia began. At least 18 people were killed in the strikes, 16 in Kyiv and two in Odesa, as Russia fired nearly 500 missiles and drones at 27 locations in the capital. Mr Zelensky told the G7 that the attack by Vladimir Putin 's forces proved once again the need for Ukraine to be provided better air defences. He also told the G7 leaders in Canada that "diplomacy is now in a state of crisis" after US president Donald Trump left the summit a day early to address the conflict in the Middle East, skipping their meeting. Hosts Canada then dropped plans for the group to issue a strong statement on the war in Ukraine after resistance from the United States, a Canadian official told reporters. Mr Zelensky said Western allies need to continue calling on Mr Trump "to use his real influence" to force an end to the war. Trump administration 'disbands group focused on pressuring Russia' Trump administration officials have shelved an inter-agency working group created to formulate strategies for pressuring Russia into speeding up peace talks with Ukraine, it has been claimed. The group was established earlier in the spring but lost steam in May as it became increasingly clear that Donald Trump was not interested in adopting a more confrontational stance toward Moscow, three US officials told Reuters. "It lost steam toward the end because the president wasn't there. Instead of doing more, maybe he wanted to do less,' one official was quoted as saying. The final blow came roughly three weeks ago, when most members of the White House National Security Council, who were coordinating the group – including the entire team dealing directly with the Ukraine war – were dismissed as part of a broad purge, they alleged. Arpan Rai18 June 2025 06:48 North Korea's Kim met Putin's top security official Shoigu North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Russia's top presidential security adviser Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang yesterday as the two discussed a "special military operation" in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, state media KCNA reported today. Mr Kim and Mr Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, discussed cooperation plans for Moscow's rebuilding of the Kursk region, the report said, confirming earlier reports of the meeting by Russian media. North Korea will send 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to the region to help rebuild it after the Ukrainian incursion that North Korean troops helped Moscow repel this year, Mr Shoigu was cited as saying by the Russian state news agency TASS today. His visit to Pyongyang and meeting with Mr Kim came nearly two weeks after his last meeting with the leader of the reclusive state on 4 June. Plans to commemorate the "heroic feats" of North Korean soldiers in the operations in the Kursk region, a part of Russia which Ukrainian forces infiltrated last year, were also discussed during the meeting, KCNA said. Arpan Rai18 June 2025 06:09 Zelensky informs G7 leaders of Russia's attack across Ukraine: 'A difficult night' Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the overnight Russian attacks from Tuesday that killed 15 people and injured 150-plus in his country as he met with allies at G7 summit. "Our families had a very difficult night, one of the biggest attacks from the very beginning of this war,' he said. "We need support from allies and I'm here," Mr Zelensky said. He added, "We are ready for the peace negotiations, unconditional ceasefire. I think it's very important. But for this, we need pressure." Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said the attack "underscores the importance of standing in total solidarity with Ukraine." While the summit was meant to showcase unity on top global issues, no joint statement on the conflict in Ukraine was released. Arpan Rai18 June 2025 05:48 Zelensky thanks Canada for military aid and Russia sanctions Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky departed from the G7 summit yesterday with new aid from host Canada for its war against Russia. But before exiting, he warned that diplomacy is in "crisis" after the leaders missed the chance to press US president Donald Trump for more action. 'Today, we have concrete decisions on increased military support, new tranches of aid funded by frozen Russian assets, and additional sanctions targeting what fuels Russia's war. It is important that partners are ready not only to support our defence now, but also to rebuild Ukraine together after the war ends,' Mr Zelensky said. Arpan Rai18 June 2025 05:30 Video report: Russian drone attack hits residential building in Kyiv with 14 killed Arpan Rai18 June 2025 05:19 Starmer tightens screws on Putin as he announces raft of fresh sanctions against Russia Sir Keir Starmer has promised to keep 'tightening the screws' on Vladimir Putin as he announced a raft of fresh sanctions on dozens of new Russian finance, military and energy targets. The prime minister is piling fresh pressure on the Russian war machine and seeking to win further backing from G7 leaders at a key summit in Canada. After repeated refusals from Putin to engage in peace talks, and fresh Russian strikes on Kyiv on Tuesday, the PM said his sanctions will 'choke off his ability to continue his barbaric war' in Ukraine. Starmer tightens screws on Putin with raft of fresh sanctions against Russia Keir Starmer said his sanctions would choke off Putin's ability to continue his war Arpan Rai18 June 2025 05:18 Trump unaware of major Russian attack on Kyiv when asked by reporter Donald Trump appeared to be unaware of a major Russian attack that killed at least 15 people and injured 116 in Kyiv and Odesa on Tuesday, hours after the assault took place. Asked about the attack by a reporter aboard Air Force One as he travelled back from the G7 summit in Canada – where reports suggested he had been due to meet Volodymyr Zelensky before cutting his trip short – Mr Trump said: 'When was that? When?' Told that the attack was very recent, the US president replied: 'Just now? You mean as I'm walking back to see you, that's when it took place? Sounds like it. I'll have to look at it.' The Kyiv Independent reported that seven hours later, the White House was still yet to comment on the Russian attack. Arpan Rai18 June 2025 04:50 Trump's early exit forces G7 to abandon joint statement on Ukraine Canada dropped plans for the G7 to issue a strong statement on the war in Ukraine after resistance from the United States, a Canadian official told reporters. The G7 wealthy nations struggled to find unity over the conflict in Ukraine after Trump expressed support for Russian president Vladimir Putin and left a day early to address the Israel-Iran conflict from Washington. Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said Ottawa would provide C$2bn ($1.47bn) in new military assistance for Kyiv as well as impose new financial sanctions. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he had told the G7 leaders that "diplomacy is now in a state of crisis" and said they need to continue calling on Donald Trump "to use his real influence" to force an end to the war, in a post on his Telegram account. Arpan Rai
