Reform MP erupts at Donald Trump over Chagos deal: 'Rotten to the core!'

A Reform UK MP erupted at Donald Trump after he appeared to back Sir Keir Starmer's deal to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Rupert Lowe warned the agreement is "rotten to the core" and added that the US President was "wrong" on the issue.

Mr Trump indicated he would support the plan, which has been criticised by his allies and Reform leader Nigel Farage, as he met the Prime Minister at the White House.

The Great Yarmouth MP said on X: "The Chagos Islands deal is disgustingly rotten to the core. It does not serve the British taxpayer. It's about human rights lawyers abusing their power to indulge their fantasies.

"It’s a betrayal. I hope that Donald Trump reconsiders his support for it. On this, he is wrong."

The controversial agreement includes a plan to lease back the strategically important US-UK military base on Diego Garcia at British taxpayers' expense.

The UK has offered Mr Trump an effective veto on the deal because of its implications for US security, while allies of the US President have criticised the plan.

But Mr Trump, speaking in the Oval Office alongside the Prime Minister, said: "We're going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it's going to work out very well.

"They're talking about a very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease, about 140 years actually.

"That's a long time, and I think we'll be inclined to go along with your country."

Under the plan, the UK is expected to lease Diego Garcia for 99 years, with an option for a 40-year extension.

But it has come under intense criticism from Reform UK and the Conservatives.