UK defends Chagos deal after Trump calls it 'act of great stupidity'

The UK government is defending its agreement to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia for a joint UK-US military base. This follows criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who called the deal "an act of great stupidity." The UK maintains the agreement, signed in May, secures the base's operations for generations and was supported by the US and other Five Eyes allies. The UK government stated the deal was necessary to protect the base after court decisions undermined their position. The UK government plans to discuss the deal with the Trump administration to reinforce its benefits.