London Mayor Sadiq Khan has had a half-a-billion pound funding demand cut in half by the Government and could face being stripped of his powers to decide what new homes are built in the capital.

Transport for London had said it needed a whopping £500million to meet budget demands despite burning through £6.6billion of public money from the Department of Transport since 2020. 

Instead Tfl will received £250million with Transport Secretary Mark Harper accusing the Greater London Authority (GLA) of “poor governance and decision making” when it came to transport budgets for London.

He added the Government had “expressed ongoing concern about the management of TfL by this Mayor”. 

And in a double whammy for Mr Khan he could face having his power to decide home building priorities taken away after Housing Secretary Michael Gove announced a new panel would be reviewing the Mayor’s plans.

READ MORE… ‘My neighbours loved my Christmas lights – so I ended up decorating the street’

Mr Khan has been an ardent supporter of affordable home building in the capital, but Mr Gove, who is also a supporter of such residences, said the Mayor’s strategy was actually stifling development. 

The Evening Standard reports Mr Gove said: “His (Mr Khan’s) requirement for such a high percentage of affordable homes in every new development imposes such significant costs that development does not go ahead, and so we get no new homes, and no new affordable homes.”

Conservative mayoral candidate AM Susan Hall said she was pleased the Government had stepped in over what she called Mr Khan’s “wasteful” spending on the transport network. 

She added: “Sadiq Khan has spent too long treating Londoners like walking cash machines, ramping up taxes to cover his shoddy spending, he’s left London’s finances in a mess.”

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Mr Khan, who will run for his third term as London Mayor next year when Londoners go to the polls, hit back at both the TfL funding and housing slap downs.

A spokesman said Transport Secretary Mr Harper’s comments were “simply not true”, adding: “The mayor and TfL have recovered TfL’s finances after the devastating impact of the pandemic, now delivering an operating surplus and covering the vast majority of TfL’s capital investment needs.”

On housing, a source close to the Mayor called the possible intervention in his housing policy as “distraction tactics” by the Conservative Government. 

They fumed: “The Mayor will take no lessons from a Government, and a housing minister in Michael Gove, that have such a shameful record and have repeatedly intervened to block the new housing the capital desperately needs.”

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Dame Esther Rantzen has sparked a controversial political debate after revealing she is considering ending her own life if treatment for her lung cancer fails to improve her condition.

Dame Esther’s battle with cancer has seen widespread media coverage, with the broadcast star revealing she has now joined the infamous Swiss organisation Dignitas, which specialises in assisted suicide.

Assisted suicide is currently illegal in Britain, where euthanasia could be prosecuted as murder or manslaughter.

Speaking on the BBC’s Today podcast, she called for a free vote in parliament on whether to legalise assisted dying.

Dame Esther argued it is “important that the law catches up with what the country wants”.

A free vote means MPs would not be ‘whipped’ by their parties, and would be free to make up their own mind based on their moral conscience.

They are conventionally used around religious issues, such as abortion; constitutional issues, such as prisoner voting; or moral issues, such as the repeal of the anti-gay ‘Section 28’.

This morning, Secretary of State for Work and Pension Mel Stride signalled his support for another vote on assisted dying.

The last attempt to get changes through Parliament was in 2015, however this was defeated.

Mr Stride said he “would not be adverse” to a new Commons debate, and was one of the 27 Tory MPs to vote for assisted dying in 2015.

He added: “The government has not decided to bring forward legislation, I think I need to make that very clear, but if Parliament in some form or another decided that it wanted to have a fresh look at this, given it was some years ago that we last did so, that’s not something that I would be resistant to”.

Can’t see the poll below? Click here

Senior Tory Alicia Kearns has also argued that national discourse has changed since the proposal’s defeat eight years ago.

The British Medical Journal has previously set out the arguments for and against assisted dying.

Those in favour believe it reduces physical and emotional distress for those so ill they have no hope of recovery.

it is estimated that 150 million people around the world have access to the service, with eligibility criteria, safeguards and regulation in place to protect patients.

They also argue the current law isn’t working, as UK citizens – like Dame Esther – can travel to Switzerland to access the service, but this is only available to the wealthy with funds to do so.

Those against the policy argue it would alter society’s attitude towards the elderly, seriously ill and disabled, and send a message that assisted dying is an option they ‘ought’ to consider.

They also point to places like Canada, where so-called safeguards haven’t worked properly, with case studies of the country euthanising the poor, mentally ill and those who are deemed too costly to treat.

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Rishi Sunak has been stung with a new rebellion over Israel and Palestine just days before he heads for his Christmas break.

Ten Conservative MPs have written to Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron demanding a ceasefire in the Middle East after fighting broke out on October 7.

The MPs – including some senior and respected backbenchers – also blast the UK’s failure to vote for such a measure during a recent UN vote, saying they were “dismayed” at Britain’s abstention.

The demands for a ceasefire are a breach of the Government’s official policy, which has called for “pauses” to get aid into Gaza, but has stopped short of demanding a ceasefire.

Writing in the Times this weekend, Lord Cameron said he remained opposed to any immediate ceasefire, which would be ignored by Hamas terrorists.

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READ MORE: Paul Bristow sacked by Rishi Sunak after calling for ceasefire in Gaza

He said: “We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward.

“Would Hamas stop firing rockets? Would it release the hostages? Would its murderous ideology change? An unsustainable ceasefire, quickly collapsing into further violence, would only make it harder to build the confidence needed for peace.”

The ten Tory rebels include Paul Bristow, who was sacked as a PPS in October for calling for a ceasefire and breaching collective responsibility.

The list also includes senior backbenchers like Kit Malthouse, David Jones, Vicky Ford, George Eustice and Philip Duane.

Their letter claims the situation in Gaza is a “catastrophe of precisely the kind the 1949 Geneva Conventions were supposed to prevent”.

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The ten Tory signatories say they have been privately expressing their “anguish and dismay at the position taken” by the Government.

They also imply Israel is flattening Gaza and massacring innocent Palestinians in pursuit of Hamas.

They said: “Furthermore, it is increasingly clear that the Israeli military strategy is neither proportionate nor targeted, and that there is no serious prospect of success, whatever that might mean.”

The letter is yet to be responded to by Lord Cameron, but it has already come under heavy criticism.

Former MEP Lance Forman described it as “very disappointing” and said he was “surprised” by some of the signatories.

He said: “If you don’t want civilian deaths call on Hamas to surrender, not Israel to defend itself!”

Journalist and broadcaster Benjamin Butterworth demanded to know whether the ten MPs had also sent “the same request to Hamas HQ too”.

Speaking on Sky News last night, Mr Bristow claimed there “are more people in my party who also agree with this” and speculated the number of Tory rebels could double in the next few weeks.

Rishi Sunak has thus far avoided the divisions and splits of Labour on the issue, with a largely united party.

Source: Read Full Article

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Labour’s former Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford stepped down last week after a litany of controversial policies which provoked fury across Wales.

He became infamous for imposing 20mph speed limits across the Principality, closing supermarket aisles during covid to stop people buying things they wanted, banning the building of new roads in the name of climate change and producing the worst education and NHS outcomes in the whole of the UK.

Concerningly, Sir Keir Starmer has said that Wales under Drakeford “is the model” a Labour government for the UK would follow.

But speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Conservative Welsh Secretary David T.C. Davies said that while Drakeford’s departure was “a welcome relief for wales and its people” things “are about to get 100 times worse” with his replacement.

It comes as Express.co.uk was handed a dossier on the three top candidates to replace Drakeford – Vaughan Gething, Jeremy Miles and Eluned Morgan.

While Gething has the most backing of elected representatives in Welsh Labour, Miles (like Drakeford) was a supporter of disgraced former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and could win on the popular and trade union vote.

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READ MORE: Mark Drakeford ‘passionate FM’ but has irreparably ‘damaged’ Wales

Vaughan Gething

The dossier on Gething, 49, mostly takes aim at his record as Minister for the Economy and earlier role as Health Minister.

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Jeremy Miles

The dossier on Jeremy Miles largely takes him to task for his role as Education Minister and Welsh Language Minister.

Eluned Morgan

Health Minister Eluned Morgan is seen as the outsider in this contest to be decided in the New Year but the dossier also takes aim at her record as a Welsh Labour minister.

David T. C. Davies’s warning

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Conservative Welsh Secretary believes that Drakeford’s tenure as First Minister of Wales could look good in comparison to what is coming with his replacement.

He said: “Mark Drakeford’s resignation has been a welcome relief to people across Wales. But if you thought life in Wales would soon become better, you need to think again

“All those who are set to replace the outgoing First Minister were joined to him at the hip and subsequently chose not to stand up to his reckless policies, including axing all new roads from being built ever again, imposing the 20mph blanket rollout – and, the worst of all, was instructing health boards to make over £60 million in cuts to then waste over £100 million to create more politicians.

“Things are about to become 100 times worse in Wales, not better.”

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A Tory rebel has denied being “duped” by the Prime Minister as she insisted he could still make changes to his Rwanda plan.

Miriam Cates, one of the key founding members of the right-wing New Conservative group, said she had been assured by Rishi Sunak that he was “open to negotiations” on changes to the bill. Members of the group, along with the other so-called “five-families” Conservative groups, had threatened to vote against the Rwanda bill in parliament, warning that they did not believe it would be strong enough to discourage small boat crossings into the UK.

Explaining her view, Ms Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said on BBC Politics: “We have concerns about the way the bill is written on that that actually it wont have the impact that the Governmet says it will have.”

She added that she had been assured by the PM that his lawyers were “open to negotiations” on the scheme – and shot down accusations of being “duped” by him.

READ MORE Furious Tories accuse Sunak of ‘deliberately walking away’ from Red Wall voters

The Rwanda scheme to fly illegal migrants to the east African country has become a key priority for Mr Sunak, and one that is under massive scrutiny.

The Prime Minister held an emergency press conference last week following the resignation of Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick – which itself came shortly after the resignation of Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Both had been pushing for the Government to legislate past the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that Rwanda would not be safe for migrants in order to enact the scheme.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Sunak said the difference between Mr Jenrick’s version of the plan and his own was just “an inch” – but that his was “the only approach”.

The PM said: “Going any further – that difference is an inch – but going any further would mean that Rwanda would collapse the scheme, and then we will have nowhere to send anyone to – and that is not a way to get this going.”

Ms Cates said Mr Sunak was “open to negotiations with our lawyers” as she explained the decision to abstain from the bill, rather than vote against it, in a clutch Parliament vote last night. She added: “We have decided to back the bill in good faith that those discussions will happen.”

But when BBC Politics host Jo Coburn responded: “The Prime Minister – even if he won’t detail what he said – was very clear, they’ll go no further. And you are saying that he’s open to big changes, so when it comes to being honest with your constituents here, I’m saying to you, are you being played by the Prime Minister, or have you secured something that we don’t know about and are going to find out about?”

Ms Cates shot down the accusation that she had been “duped” to prevent her voting against the bill.

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She said: “We’re not asking for big changes. The Government has already disapplied various aspects of international treaties in the first three clauses of the bill. We are asking for that to be extended to the fourth and fifth. In our view, that is not a major change. How the Rwandans see that, I’m not sure.”

Ms Cates also launched a fierce argument for ignoring the international law which declared Rwanda unsafe for migrants.

“Different views on Rwanda Bill come down to this: which is supreme?” she said. “Law made by Parliament, elected by British people, or international conventions? I think highest level of sovereignty, law, & loyalty lies with the nation, in this case the UK Parliament.”

Following her passionate plea, arch-Brexiteer David Frost responded: “Exactly right Miriam Cates and well said.”

Despite fears they would vote against the Government, members of several groups on the right wing of the party chose to abstain in the Commons on Tuesday, allowing it to pass its Second Reading by 313 votes to 269.

Top members of the so-called “five families” were seen arriving in No10 for an emergency breakfast meeting ahead of yesterday’s vote. About 15 Conservative MPs attended including Lee Anderson, Danny Kruger, Ms Cates, and Neil O’Brien.

Source: Read Full Article

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Mark Drakeford represented something in Wales that the rest of the UK lacked: stability, continuity, and a steady pair of hands.

While leaders around the union came and went — including five Conservative Prime Ministers in almost as many years — Mr Drakeford lasted five years in his post.

He had announced his intentions to resign in the current Senedd term, but when he did so on Wednesday, December 13, it was completely unexpected.

Andrew RT Davies, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives who are in opposition, commended Mr Drakeford’s time in office, describing him as a “passionate public servant”.

Yet, he told Express.co.uk that Wales had suffered as a result of the First Minister’s leadership and a string of botched policies that have led the country into decline.

READ MORE Mark Drakeford resigns as First Minster of Wales as popularity hits 18-month low

“Obviously, Mark led the country through the COVID-19 crisis, and he is a passionate public servant who ultimately did what he thinks is in the best interest of Wales,” he said.

“But, regrettably, when you look at the overall narrative, whether it be economically, educational standards or the NHS, Mark will say that it hasn’t been the tenure that one would have wished for success. On the key indicators about improving people’s lives, he failed to move the needle.”

Wales has voted for the Labour Party in every Assembly and Senedd election since 1999, and has picked the party in every UK general election since 1922.

Many in the Senedd like Mr Davies and even those who cooperate with Welsh Labour like Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, told Express.co.uk that they believe Mr Drakeford’s party has in effect rested on its laurels in the comfort of its electoral success.

But things in the country have taken a turn for the worse in recent years. Education standards have slipped under Mr Drakeford’s watch, with Etsyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, releasing a damning report in October.

Of the 18 secondary schools it inspected, 64 percent received a recommendation to improve the effectiveness of teaching, while 60, or 27 percent, of primary schools received a recommendation to improve their curriculum to help develop pupils’ skills, 46, 21 percent, were told to improve literacy skills and 37, 17 percent, numeracy skills.

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The overall verdict was that too many schools are not addressing issues with grammar which is in turn leading to a decline in educational standards.

Perhaps the biggest concern on the minds of many is the condition of NHS Wales. While the NHS is in a state of decline across the UK, the effects of this are particularly acute in Wales.

This year, BMA Cymru chairwoman Dr Iona Collins said long waiting times were leading to rapidly deteriorating health in patients. Things are so bad, she said, that people in Wales could no longer rely on ambulances “delivering us to an accident and emergency for life-saving treatment”.

Around 30,000 people in Wales have been waiting more than two years after being referred for hospital treatment. In comparison, at its peak in England 20 months ago, 24,424 patients were waiting more than two years.

There is also a serious lack of economic growth in the country, with Wales’ output per hour currently at 17.2 percent below the UK average.

Similarly, it has three of the top 10 least productive parts of the UK and none in the top 10. This has hurt economic output which has inevitably affected the purse strings of ordinary people.

“Our estimates suggest that people in Wales take home almost £3,000 less than their counterparts in other parts of the UK,” Mr Davies said.

In light of these things, Mr Drakeford’s recent policy agenda has left many scratching their heads. Several wildly unpopular and seemingly random pieces of legislation have been pursued in months past, including the recently enforced 20mph legislation.

Not quite a blanket law but near enough, most roads in Wales are now 20mph, something Mr Drakeford said earlier this year would help to save lives.

While true, the policy has caused many unexpected problems to things like local bus timetables which are already stretched and may even potentially contribute to an increase in air pollution, according to one study published by Newport County Council.

Then there’s the recent ban on glue traps intended for rodents like mice and rats, which some have claimed will challenge food security and public health.

Asked what he believed Mr Drakeford’s legacy would be, Mr Davies said: “The facts speak for themselves. NHS waiting times in Wales are the worst of any part of the UK, we’ve not improved economically, and on the international ranking statistics of PISA, our education system is also falling behind.

“You can’t argue against Mark’s commitment to Wales, but obviously from a political point of view, the policies he’s pursued have damaged Wales.”

To entirely rule out Mr Drakeford’s work would be unfair, however. His government, in cooperation with Plaid Cymru, has achieved many things that the UK Government hasn’t come close to.

They agreed to more than 50 policy areas, which included the breakthrough delivery of free school meals to all primary school pupils — a minor yet crucial service to a country whose poverty rate sits at around 24 percent to England’s 22 percent, Scotland’s 18 percent, and Northern Ireland’s 17 percent.

He has committed Wales to reviving and bolstering the Welsh language, something which has been deemed largely successful and has seen many encouraged to take up the ancient tongue on popular apps like Duolingo.

And, Mr Drakeford was bold enough to introduce a Senedd reform bill which could see the Welsh Parliament expand in capacity and gain new powers, a move that might yet change the political landscape of the country for years to come.

Source: Read Full Article

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Nigel Farage has told ITV boss Kevin Lygo if he wants to “go to war” with the former I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here contestant then “he can”. The GB News host accused Mr Lygo’s staff of trying to stitch him up after he came third in the show.

He warned the broadcaster could find itself in a position similar to NatWest, which sparked Mr Farage’s wrath when Coutts debanked him. Mr Farage said on GB News: “It seems whilst I was in the jungle, one or two people at the top of ITV were doing their best to make things unpleasant for me.

“What I will say to Kevin Lygo, the boss of ITV, it’s up to you mate. If you want to go to war with me, you really can.” Kevin Lygo became ITV’s Director of Television in 2016 after joining the company in August 2010 as managing director of ITV Studios.

Before that Mr Lygo was Director of Television and Content at Channel 4, which he first joined as Head of Entertainment and Music in 1997. He was also controller at the launch of Channel 4’s digital entertainment channel, E4.

READ MORE Meghan Markle set to ‘elaborate’ on royal racist row in book

It was while Mr Lygo was at Channel 4 that a programme on ITV in 2019 revealed he was the highest paid public sector boss, with a salary of £1.3million. Mr Lygo and Channel 4 parted company in 2001 with the 66-year-old going on to spend two years as Director of Programmes at Five.

He was credited with broadening the channel’s programmes from a reliance on films, sport and bought content to original UK production. On re-joining Channel 4 in 2003, Mr Lygo commissioned Big Brother, The F Word and poached Richard and Judy from ITV.

A graduate of Durham University, where he studied psychology, Mr Lygo joined the BBC as a trainee in 1981, working as a comedy scriptwriter on The Two Ronnies and then a stint on the chatshow, Wogan.

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At ITV, Mr Lygo commissioned hits including: The Masked Singer, The Real Full Monty, Harry’s Heroes, Gino, Gordon and Fred, Liar, Des, Quiz, Manhunt and The Bay.

He was also embroiled in Philip Schofield’s exit from This Morning, warning against media pressure to end people’s careers in the wake of the presenter quitting the programme in May.

During an appearance before a committee of MPs in June, Mr Lygo said Mr Schofield said “no” when he was asked if he had been “prompted” before coming out as gay on This Morning and if there was anything ITV needed to know.

The controversy with Mr Farage erupted last month when Mr Lygo attended an event during which he allegedly mocked Mr Farage and used a rude gesture.

Mr Farage said he was prepared to ignore attempts to “stitch” him up and call a “truce”, adding he didn’t think the furore would do ITV’s share price any good. He added: “Let’s end this nonsense and let’s do it now.”

ITV has been approached for comment.

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Reality TV producers have their eye on Congress’s most talked-about villain, George Santos.

Santos, who represented Long Island in the US House until just this month, could command as much as $2 million if he joined the reality circuit on shows like The Masked Singer and Celebrity Big Brother.

“I would imagine he will sit at the Sean Spicer earning level on Dancing With The Stars for example – entry level around $125-$150,000,” consumer expert Kate Hardcastle told Daily Mail.

What’s more – his combined earning potential from future opportunities, like book deals and his $400-a-video Cameo, could pad his paycheck even more.

The alleged former drag queen was expelled from congress and faces criminal charges for stealing public funds, falsifying campaign records and lying on disclosure forms.

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So Santos is “100%” being considered for major reality shows, Hardcastle explained.

“From there, there is the opportunity for further earrings – Books, public speaking, workshops – or indeed more Cameo videos where is currently earring $400 a video. One would think there is a limited market to this – but he is still a better earner per video than say – Kenny G! Combined its potentially a $1.5 – $2 million opportunity,” Hardcastle said.

Just one day before he was booted from Congress in a bipartisan vote, the former alleged drag queen told a reporter: “Today, I would not do Dancing with the Stars. Maybe in the future.

Though he may suddenly find himself with a lot of free time, producers at the ABC show have reportedly not considered letting the alleged drag queen shimmy onto the ballroom any time soon.

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Santos could make a good candidate for the “villain cut” at other shows.

His snappy speech to a reporter before he was kicked out on December 1 made the rounds on social media, with many comparing it to speeches made by contestants on the chopping block on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

“Look, you all want a soundbite. It’s the third time we are going through this. I don’t care,” Santos said. “I was sent here by the people of the Third District of New York. I represent them.

“The political class in Washington, D.C., if they want to send me home, if they think this was a fair process, if they think this is how it should be done, and if they’re confident that this is a constitutional way of doing it — God bless their hearts.”

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Some MPs are urging Rishi Sunak to do a deal with the former Brexit Party leader, who is due to return from Australia after appearing in I’m A Celebrity…

Reform is hovering at around eight per cent in the polls, but it is thought much of this support comes from disgruntled Tory
voters who could be convinced to switch back.

A survey by WeThink found 67 per cent of Reform supporters would be more likely to vote Conservative if Mr Farage joined.

Only seven per cent of those asked said they would be less likely and 25 per cent said it would make no difference.

But 38 per cent of Labour voters say they would be even less likely to vote Tory – with just 11 per cent saying they would be more likely to do so.

Many Conservative MPs say the decision by the Brexit Party not to stand candidates in seats they were defending in the 2019 general election contributed to their overwhelming victory.

The Brexit Party changed its name to Reform UK a year later.

A senior Tory said: “I’d love to see Farage. He should definitely be in the House of Lords. There should have been a great coming together after Brexit.”

Another said: “We should probably do a deal. We should allow him into the party if there’s a constituency that wants to select him.”

A Red Wall MP said: “I would definitely welcome Nigel into the party.”

But the 2019-intake Tory added: “If he wants to challenge us outside the party, well, bring it on because he’s
not managed to win a seat yet.”

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Reform may have influenced the result in recent high-profile by-elections, when Labour took Mid-Bedfordshire and Tamworth after big voting swings at the expense of the Tories.

In both constituencies, the Reform and Conservative vote combined would have been enough to beat Sir Keir Starmer’s candidates.

Speaking on I’m A Celebrity…Gat Me Out Of Here!, Mr Farage suggested he could one day rejoin the Tories, which he left in 1992 – but suggested it would be as the leader.

READ MORE I’m A Celeb’s Nigel Farage dealt crushing blow hours before live final

He said: “There is a lot of speculation after they lose the next election, maybe Nigel becomes leader of the Tory party one day, so there’s a lot of chatter about whether it is going to happen – I have no idea.

“The important thing is to say this – never say never.”

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Reports earlier this week suggested Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is ready to pull the plug on the Foreign Office’s plan to hand the islands – collectively known as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) – to Mauritius, which is 310 miles away. The Telegraph reported Mr Shapps as being “alarmed” at the possibility, fearing it would jeopardise relations with the US, which has a military base on the island of Diego Garcia.

Regardless, Mr Smith, the MP for Crawley in Sussex, told Express.co.uk he remained concerned. He explained: “I have detected that the government has slightly rowed back since the article was published a few days ago. I just happened to bump into Lord Ahmed, the Overseas Territories minister yesterday, and I mentioned that and he sort of pulled a face slightly and said he doesn’t know that that necessarily is the case.

“So I think the picture isn’t very clear and I don’t think we have yet seen a U-turn by the government fully on the issue. But I’ve been banging on about this, the sovereignty issue, ever since the negotiations started just over a year ago.

“And I have deep concerns, as do many other people and this is what I’ve raised on the floor of the House, both with the Foreign Secretary and with the new Defence Secretary at the last defence questions a couple of weeks ago on the strategic importance of Diego Garcia. It’s incredibly important strategically.

READ MORE: Tories facing election disaster, Brexiteer warns Sunak

“We’re entering a new Cold War with Russia and China and other malign actors like Iran, which is obviously causing all the problems we’re seeing at the moment in the Middle East.

“It’s important not just UK security, but the US and Western security more generally speaking, particularly when you’ve got an expansionist China in the region, and Mauritius, who are pretty much in hock to China as well.”

Mr Smith, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Foreign Affairs sub-committee on the Overseas Territories, said he had raised his concerns with Mr Shapps during a private meeting the day after his appointment, during which he stressed the importance of the Government “pausing and reconsidering”.

Referring to a resolution by the International Court of Justice in 2019 calling for sovereignty of the islands to be handed over to Mauritius, he continued: “This court judgement, the international court judgement, it’s not like a court of law.

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UK risking Falkland’s sovereignty by handing British Islands to China ally[ANALYSIS]
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Chagos Islanders fear ‘poverty’ as UK holds talks with Mauritius[PICTURES]

Chagos Islands: Expert explains history of Diego Garcia

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“It’s basically all of our enemies lining up to say Britain’s a horrible colonial power and to give things back. The likes of the Chinese, the Russians, the Iranians – of course they’re going to vote against Britain.”

Asked what he thought would happen next, Mr Smith said: “I suspect where we may end up is that Diego Garcia remains under British sovereignty so long as the military base is required, which is frankly very long time, and the outer islands, which are quite a few 100 nautical miles away from Diego Garcia, maybe ceded to Mauritius under some sort of agreement that no third parties can come in, essentially an anti-China clause. But treaties involving China are worth no more than the paper they’re written on. Look at the Sino-British agreement over Hong Kong, Beijing has run roughshod over that, so the idea that in 10 years time, somehow we’re going to be able to object if China starts having a presence in the Chagos Islands and be able to do anything about that is laughable.”

The situation was also likely to change should Sir Keir Starmer emerge triumphant in next year’s general election, Mr Smith, who has already confirmed his intention to stand down as an MP, suggested. He explained: “If I ruled the world, British Indian Ocean Territory would remain British in perpetuity. I think there’s no doubt as to our claim over them.

“However, the reality is we’re probably going to have a change of government in the next year and the Labour position, I think, is quite weak on this. I can see an incoming Labour government just basically handing the islands completely over to Mauritius. So there might be some merit in a deal being done now, particularly on securing Diego Garcia for military purposes as British and the outer islands going to Mauritius.”

There was also a wider risk of weakening British interests around the world, Mr Smith emphasised. He said: “I think this sets a really dangerous precedent for other overseas territories and the sovereign base areas in Cyprus, particularly those uninhabited or sparsely inhabited territories. I’m thinking of South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and others around the world where you know, if the Chagos Islands goes, a precedent is set then that will be used by other countries – Argentina being the obvious one, to try and claim sovereignty over islands like South Georgia and so forth.

“The difference with places like the Falklands or Gibraltar is that there is a sophisticated democracy that’s embedded where the people there clearly can express an opinion of self-determination. And that’s what both Gibraltar and the Falklands have done overwhelmingly whenever they’ve had referendums on the issue.”

Pressed on the subject of the Chagos Islands during a trip to Washington yesterday, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron told reporters: “On the issue of the vital US air base at Diego Garcia, when foreign secretaries and secretaries of state get together, they often discuss the importance of the assets that we share and use around the world, and that is an important one, and we touched on that this afternoon.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, standing alongside Lord Cameron, said of the US base: “It enables our own support for regional stability; gives us an ability to respond rapidly to crises, and also to counter some of the most challenging threats that we face.

“We recognise UK sovereignty over British Indian Ocean Territory. But this is a bilateral matter for the UK and Mauritius to work out and we support their engagement to resolve the differences.”

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