UK government shelves Chagos deal

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced a 'humiliating' U-turn after initially agreeing to a deal that would have seen the strategic islands handed over while leasing the Diego Garcia military base.

Trump's opposition, cited by former officials as the primary reason for the pause, centers on concerns that the deal would weaken Western defense in the Indian Ocean.

The move has been mocked by political rivals who argue that the UK is becoming overly reliant on US approval for its sovereign decisions.

The future of the Chagos archipelago remains uncertain as the government seeks to navigate its relationship with a more assertive White House.