Starmer declines to say whether defence spending increase includes Chagos cash

The UK is in talks with Mauritius about handing over sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory, but leasing back the strategically important Diego Garcia military base which is used by the US (Alamy/PA) -

Sir Keir Starmer has declined to say whether money for a deal with the Chagos Islands would come out of the increase in defence spending.

The Prime Minister told the Commons that the increase to 2.5% of GDP announced on Tuesday is for “our capability on defence and security in Europe”, and described the deal being negotiated with Mauritius as “extremely important for our security”.