Nigel Farage erupted at Sir Keir Starmer over reports that he has blocked Donald Trump from using RAF bases to strike Iran. The US President is said to have withdrawn his backing from the Chagos Islands deal because he has not received UK approval to use its military bases for a US attack on Tehran.
It comes after Mr Trump warned the agreement to hand sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the Diego Garcia joint UK-US military base is « a big mistake ». The Reform leader wrote on X: « If Keir Starmer’s real obsession with getting rid of the Chagos Islands is to destroy our strong defence relationship with America, then his government must go. »
Mr Trump’s fresh criticism of the controversial deal is because of the UK Government’s refusal to give the White House the green light to use the Diego Garcia base or RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for a potential military campaign against Iran, according to The Times.
The Government’s position is due to concerns over a breach of international law, which does not distinguish between a nation carrying out an attack and one that provides support with « knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act ».
The bases can only be used for military operations with prior consent from the Government and would need to comply with UK law and the country’s interpretation of relevant international law.
The US President hit out at the deal, which is opposed by Reform UK and the Tories, on his Truth Social platform the following day.
He wrote: « Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime – An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly Countries. »
He added: « We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the U.K., but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them. DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA! »
The Government says the future of the base has been threatened by recent international court decisions.
The deal is expected to see the UK pay Mauritius around £35 billion over the next century, an average cost of £350 million a year, to lease back the Diego Garcia base.
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