Foreign Office Refuses to Say in Writing That China and Russia Are Opposed to Chagos Surrender – Guido Fawkes

Foreign Office Refuses to Say in Writing That China and Russia Are Opposed to Chagos Surrender

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Labour has failed in writing to provide evidence for Starmer’s claim that China, Russia, and Iran are against the Chagos surrender deal. Starmer twice misled the house on the matter…

Asked in a written parliamentary question by Priti Patel to provide the “evidential basis he said that (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) Iran are opposed to the treaty with Mauritius.” A straight question…

Answer came there none from FCDO ministers. Overseas territories minister Stephen Doughty said:

“The deal to secure the base on Diego Garcia is vital for our national security.

Our Five Eyes allies – the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada – as well as India, South Korea and Japan, all put out formal statements welcoming the deal.

There are clear safeguards in the treaty, including a clear prohibition to prevent any other foreign security forces, civilian or military – including the Chinese – from establishing themselves on the outer islands.”

A tacit admission that the repeated claim is bogus. Patel tells Guido:

“Instead of coming clean and apologising, Starmer is now refusing to answer questions and provide evidence to back up his claims. The fact that he couldn’t be bothered to answer the question himself and his junior minister’s response failed to back up his claims goes to show that you can’t believe a word Keir Starmer says. The truth is that China, Russia and Iran back his Surrender Treaty as it makes Britain weaker and Keir Starmer backs the Treaty as he puts the demands of left-wing lawyers and activists above the national interest.

Having spent years lecturing us that ‘honesty and integrity’ matter in politics, it’s scandalous that Keir Starmer is refusing to explain the claims he made to the British people and to Parliament.”

China praised the deal…