Boris Johnson reveals how the UK is about to ‘haul down the flag’ on the British Indian Ocean Territory – together with a serious Western navy base – and hand to an ally of China, in newest Mail column

Britain is surrendering UK-owned territory the Chagos Islands to an in depth ally of China, Boris Johnson says in his Day by day Mail column immediately.

The previous Prime Minister revealed it was ‘a performed deal’ to desert the militarily strategic group of islands within the Indian Ocean.

The archipelago, together with Diego Garcia which hosts a extremely delicate Anglo-American navy base, is to be handed over to Mauritius as a part of a switch of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, he mentioned.

Mauritius is an in depth ally of China. The plan has triggered ‘severe issues’ within the White House because of the focus of Western navy {hardware} on Diego Garcia – first claimed by the UK in 1814 – which has been known as ‘the unsinkable plane provider within the Indian Ocean’.

Mr Johnson mentioned it was an ‘completely spineless’ choice to desert the islands, which performed a vital position within the first Gulf Warfare to liberate Kuwait, in 2001 to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan and within the Iraq struggle in 2003.

Revealing the event in his column – which might be obtainable on MailOnline at 5pm – the ex-PM says: ‘Now, if my sources are appropriate, we’re about handy our title away – and for no good purpose.

‘Evidently this nation is on the verge of a colossal mistake. After greater than two centuries of uninterrupted British sovereignty we’re apparently about to carry out a U-turn and abandon the British Indian Ocean Territories.

‘Simply because the Chinese language are constructing runways over each reef and atoll they’ll discover – locations which have by no means been Chinese language possessions – we’re throwing within the sponge. We’re about to haul down the flag, casting doubt on a serious western strategic asset.’

The previous Prime Minister revealed it was ‘a performed deal’ to desert the militarily strategic group of islands within the Indian Ocean.

The archipelago, together with Diego Garcia which hosts a extremely delicate Anglo-American navy base (pictured), are to be handed over to Mauritius as a part of a switch of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, he mentioned.

The Pentagon fears Beijing is on the lookout for the same navy foothold within the area and even probably on Diego Garcia. Washington has been more and more involved by the rising relationship between Mauritius and China.

The British base, which is leased to the US Navy, is house to some 1,700 navy personnel and 1,500 civilian contractors, and contains port amenities, an airstrip able to dealing with massive plane, a help construction for submarine fleets, a classy radar nerve centre and US House Operations Command.

The Pentagon fears Beijing is on the lookout for the same navy foothold within the area and even probably on Diego Garcia. Washington has been more and more involved by the rising relationship between Mauritius and China.

Mr Johnson mentioned: ‘The Individuals do not give us essential nuclear secrets and techniques simply because they love little previous England. They do not share intelligence as a result of they adore our quaint accents. We have now an ideal and indispensable relationship as a result of we’ve got necessary issues to supply – together with Diego Garcia.’

Negotiations have been beneath method for the reason that Worldwide Courtroom of Justice dominated in 2019 that the UK’s occupation of the islands was illegal. Though the courtroom’s rulings are non-binding, strain has been rising internationally – with China providing backing to Mauritius’s declare to the islands, though it’s 1,300 miles away.

International Workplace attorneys suggested {that a} negotiated settlement wanted to be discovered to keep away from a chronic authorized case.

The Authorities beforehand rejected Mauritian claims over the islands, insisting that it might cede sovereignty solely when the territory is now not wanted by Britain for defence functions. However following worldwide strain, International Secretary James Cleverly agreed to dealer an settlement backed by worldwide legislation to ‘resolve all excellent points’ whereas making certain the efficient operation of the bottom.

The International Workplace has beforehand insisted of the talks: ‘The UK and Mauritius have dedicated to defending the operational effectiveness of the joint UK/US navy base on Diego Garcia, which performs an important position for regional and world safety.’