Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next prime minister, has signaled his intention to retain Jonathan Powell as national security adviser, a move that has reignited fears of a potential revival of the controversial Chagos Islands deal.
Powell was instrumental in negotiating an agreement that would see Britain cede sovereignty of the strategically important Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius. Under the proposed terms, the United Kingdom would lease back the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, the archipelago's largest island, for 99 years. This arrangement would involve annual payments from Britain to Mauritius, estimated by the government at approximately £101 million per year, totaling around £3.4 billion over the lease period.
Critics of the deal have raised significant concerns, arguing that the actual cost could escalate to £35 billion. Furthermore, there are apprehensions about handing control of the islands to Mauritius, which is viewed by some as an ally of China. These concerns were amplified by Powell's past undisclosed visits to China for discussions on security matters and ongoing international conflicts.
Parliamentary ratification of the Chagos Islands agreement stalled earlier this year after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew his support. The withdrawal of American backing had led many to believe the deal was dead. However, Burnham's confirmation of Powell's continued role as national security adviser has led to growing worries that a new attempt to push the agreement through may occur once Burnham takes office.
Burnham articulated his foreign policy stance in an article for The Times, stating his commitment to surrounding himself with experienced advisors, including Powell, to address evolving national security threats. This decision contrasts with earlier suggestions that Burnham might appoint Olly Robbins, the former Brexit negotiator, as his national security adviser, a move that some Whitehall sources believed would signal a formal rejection of the Chagos Islands deal.
