The prime minister has pressed Mauritius on the need for the Chagos Islands deal to allow "strong protections" for the UK-US military base there.

Sir Keir Starmer has told the Mauritian leader that the deal to give away the Chagos Islands must not aid China’s “malign influence”. The Prime Minister also urged Mauritius to ensure the deal allows “strong protections” for the key Western military base on Diego Garcia during the conversation with his counterpart, Navin Ramgoolam, on Friday.

The Prime Minister told Navin Ramgoolam he wants ‘strong protections’ for the UK-US military base on the island chain.