A cross-party coalition of more than 40 senior British MPs, peers, former ministers, and national security leaders has called on the US President Trump to stop the UK Government's plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
In a letter delivered this week by the Great British PAC, and re-published below, the signatories warn that the move would "gravely undermine" both UK and US security interests by threatening the future of the Diego Garcia military base, a facility described as the cornerstone of America's nuclear and naval power projection in the Indian Ocean.
The group argues that transferring the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius would place Diego Garcia under the jurisdiction of a state bound by the Pelindaba Treaty, Africa's nuclear-weapon-free zone agreement.
They warn this could create "dangerous legal ambiguity" over US nuclear-capable operations, exposing them to challenges from China, Russia, or international bodies.
Notable names that signed the letter - reported on by Facts4EU and shared exclusively with GB News - include former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former home secretary Suella Braverman and Sir Grant Shapps, the ex-defence secretary.
A Labour MP, peers, military veterans, legal experts and national security professionals have also signed.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy insists that the agreement "secures this vital military base for the future".
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Part of the letter read: 'On many issues we differ, on this one we do not'
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Over 40 senior figures signed the letter
|The letter reads: "Mr President, you have built your reputation on refusing to cede strategic ground to those who would weaken America.
"We urge you to use your influence, publicly and privately, and your prerogatives under the US-UK defence agreement of 1966 to oppose this surrender and to ensure that Diego Garcia remains exempt from any constraint under the Pelindaba Treaty."
The timing of the letter is seen as significant. President Trump is due to arrive in Britain next week for a state visit, during which he will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for talks.
According to No 10, Trump had initially signalled support for the deal earlier this year, telling Starmer in February that he was “inclined to go with your country” and that he had “a feeling it’s going to work out very well.”
However, critics hope the latest appeal will persuade him to harden his stance and block the plan.
The Labour Government scheduled a second reading of the Chagos transfer bill yesterday on Tuesday, despite a judicial review due in November.
Critics argue the rushed timetable is designed to force the deal through before opposition can mobilise.
Leigh Evans, Chairman of the Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIBUK) and of the fast-growing Stand for Our Sovereignty campaign, said the Chagos deal "is not just a diplomatic blunder, it is a financial and security disaster".
He continued: "Surrendering the Chagos Islands would hand Beijing and Moscow a strategically important opening in the Indian Ocean at a time when the West can least afford it.
"It also represents yet another handover of UK sovereignty for no other reason than an apparent desire to appeal to the international legal crusade, with no thought for the interests of the British people."
Over 40 senior figures have pushed for Donald Trump to intervene on the deal
| GETTYThe deal has significant implications for the US, too.
The base on Diego Garcia is located in a crucial strategic location in the Indian Ocean. The airbase is one of only two US strategic bomber bases in the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition to the B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers operating from the island, the US also maintains a satellite control network and a naval support facility on Diego Garcia.
The agreement signed by the UK means the US will maintain access to Diego Garcia for the duration of the 99-year lease, with important measures to protect the base's integrity, including a 24-mile exclusion zone and a ban on foreign military presence on outer islands.
It also regularly hosts US nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines (SSGNs) and submarine tender ships, constantly transferring nuclear-tipped missiles to and from the island.
Retired military personnel have confirmed unofficially that there is a "deep background" of nuclear weapons stored and stockpiled on the island, but this has not been confirmed or denied by the UK or US administrations.
Washington hawks have raised concerns that the deal will leave the vital military asset to China, despite Labour's assurances.
Mr Trump will arrive for his state visit on September 17
| GETTYThe Republican-led US House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has formally raised concerns over the deal, saying: "The Committee notes that with the growing challenge from the PRC (People's Republic of China), the military facilities on the island of Diego Garcia are central to Anglo-American power projection and relative control of the Indian Ocean.
"Recognising the invaluable strategic importance and geographic relevance of Diego Garcia to the United States, the Committee encourages the Secretary of State to engage with His Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom to ensure our long-term access to the facilities and that they remain integral to allied security."
The committee's formal expression of concern stems in part from Sir Keir's Government agreement to hand over sovereignty to a state bound by the Pelnidaba treaty, which prohibits nuclear weapons from being stationed or transiting its territory.
That treaty restriction includes Diego Garcia, once sovereignty formally transfers, meaning the UK and US could be legally blocked from deploying or supporting nuclear-capable assets from the base, even under the so-called "99-year lease".
Discussions could happen between Mr Trump and Mr Starmer over the deal, given the amount of US interest into the matter and the bombshell letter signed by the senior figures.
A Foreign Office spokesman told GB News: "The Diego Garcia military base agreement is paramount for our national security.
"The deal secures the future of the strategically critical UK-US base on Diego Garcia and has been backed by key partners, including the US and all of our five EYES allies."