Keir Starmer's plan to recognise Palestine sparks fears Britain to pay TWO TRILLION POUNDS in reparations

Legal experts have warned that the recognition could come at a significant cost as the new country would demand staggering compensation for land "taken from the Palestinian people" when the UK relinquished control of the region after WW2.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas wants "reparations in accordance with international law" based on the value of the land, which was under British rule from 1917 to 1948.

Some international law experts said £2trillion is a "good place to start" with reparations, despite the figure being roughly the size of the UK's total economy.

Families of the hostages held by Hamas in the October 7 attacks have written to Sir Keir condemning the decision to recognise the state, which they claim has "dramatically complicated" efforts to be reunited with their relatives.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, they said: "Your regrettable announcement of the UK's intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly has dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones.

"Hamas has already celebrated the UK's decision as a victory and reneged on a ceasefire deal. We write to you with a simple plea - do not take this step until our loved ones are home and in our arms."

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Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David, who was seen extremely weak and thin in a Hamas video last month, said: "Giving this recognition is like saying to Hamas: 'It is ok, you can keep starving the hostages, you can keep using them as human shields.'

"This kind of recognition gives Hamas power to be stubborn in negotiations. That is the last thing we need right now."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticised the decision, saying: "Hamas and a Palestinian state are inseparable for now. This is typical of Starmer; he can't really decide where he stands.

"Whatever the caveats in his statement, this announcement is a surrender to terrorism and a betrayal of Israel."

The Government is expected to impose sanctions on Hamas, after Sir Keir said during a joint conference with Donald Trump last week that the terror group can have no part in running Palestine.

The Prime Minister was backed by Mr Trump when making the decision, with the President patting Sir Keir on the back, saying: "I like that."

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel branded the move as a "feeble last-minute attempt" to make Mr Trump less frustrated with the recognition.

Dame Priti told The Telegraph: "With the terrorist organisation Hamas still holding hostages in barbaric conditions and glorifying acts of terror, Starmer is sending a dangerous message, where violence and extremism are tolerated and rewarded.

"Peace in the Middle East will never be secured by rewarding terrorists.

"His feeble last-minute attempts to appease the United States are shallow and will never justify his reckless decision on recognition."

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said reparations for Palestine would be "Chagos 2.0," referring to Sir Keir's surrender of the islands to Mauritius.

Mr Jenrick said: "Not a penny of taxpayer money should be spent on so-called reparations.

"This is a load of ahistorical nonsense. Britain was, and remains, a force for good in the world - these ridiculous demands should be brushed aside."