WATCH: Labour MP defends Chagos deal and claims Mauritius is a 'close friend' of Britain

Labour MP Alex Ballinger has defended the Government's deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, insisting it will cost £3.4billion rather than the £30billion figure claimed by critics.

Speaking to GB News, Ballinger firmly rejected the higher estimate, stating: "I'm saying the way that the Civil Service calculates the cost of these things means that it costs £3.4billion. It's how we compare it to other projects. It's 2 per cent of the defence budget".

FULL STORY HERE.