Starmer Faces Criticism Over Chagos Deal and Lockdown Allegations in PMQs

The Prime Minister defended his government’s £18bn Chagos Islands agreement while addressing questions about past lockdown rule compliance and Trump’s Gaza remarks.

• Keir Starmer faced scrutiny during PMQs over his government’s £18bn Chagos Islands handover deal with Mauritius, which has sparked backlash over its financial and strategic implications.
• Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch criticized the agreement, with Farage questioning the justification for the payment and Badenoch labeling it an 'immoral surrender.'
• Starmer defended the deal, citing the need for legal certainty to maintain operations at the Diego Garcia military base, but avoided addressing broader national security concerns.
• The Prime Minister also denied allegations of breaching lockdown rules in 2020, asserting he was working while Conservatives were 'partying,' referencing past Tory scandals.
• Other topics included Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza proposal, which Starmer cautiously opposed, and Badenoch’s pivot to energy policy, questioning Labour’s stance on North Sea oil and gas development.

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