Mauritius threatens to sue Britain as Chagos deal stalls over Trump's 'terrible' verdict on Diego Garcia base

From the Newshound archive · first published 11 October 2026.

Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has warned he will take Britain to court unless the stalled Chagos Islands handover is "expeditiously resolved", telling UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell that legal action is "inevitable". Ramgoolam travelled to London for talks after the deal became a flashpoint at the UN General Assembly, insisting his country's claim to sovereignty over the islands — including the Diego Garcia airbase — is "non-negotiable". Trump publicly branded the arrangement "terrible" at his bilateral with Andy Burnham, pointing to Diego Garcia's role in B2 bomber strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has conceded the deal is unlikely to proceed without Trump's blessing.

Trump said B2 bombers had to fly home to Missouri rather than stage from Diego Garcia during the Iran strikes — underlining why Washington regards the base as irreplaceable.

Streeting insists Britain "remains committed" to the agreement even as the US blocks it, leaving the deal in limbo.

Friends of the British Overseas Territories spokesman Robert Midgley branded the Chagos deal a 'non-starter' unless Trump changes his mind.