Badenoch Sides With Trump, Warns Chagos Islands Deal Threatens UK Security

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has aligned herself with U.S. President Donald Trump by condemning the British government’s decision to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Badenoch described the agreement as a strategic mistake that weakens Britain’s position in the Indian Ocean and threatens national security. She said the move sends a message of vulnerability to rival global powers, including China and Russia.

“This is not just a policy error, it is self-sabotage,” Badenoch said, arguing that the deal undermines the UK’s ability to protect its interests and maintain influence in a critical region.

Her comments follow Trump’s public criticism of the agreement, which he labelled an act of “total weakness” and “great stupidity.” Badenoch said she agrees with Trump’s assessment and believes the UK government is making a serious miscalculation.

She also criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s handling of the matter, saying the policy reduces the strength of the UK and its NATO allies. Badenoch called on the government to reconsider the deal and prioritize strategic stability over diplomatic concessions.

Badenoch further revealed that she discussed the issue with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying they share the same concerns about the security implications of the agreement.

The Chagos Archipelago includes Diego Garcia, a strategically important military base used jointly by the UK and the U.S. for operations in the Indian Ocean. Under the agreement, Britain would cede sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining control of the base through a long-term lease.

The UK government has defended the deal, saying it was designed to protect the base from legal challenges and ensure continued operational access. Officials have insisted the arrangement safeguards Britain’s long-term security interests.

However, critics argue the decision risks weakening the UK’s strategic influence in the region. The deal has also reignited complaints from displaced Chagossians, who say they were not consulted and remain aggrieved after being forced from the islands decades ago.

As the debate intensifies, the Chagos Islands agreement is emerging as a major foreign policy issue for the Starmer administration, drawing criticism from both domestic opposition and international allies.