Andy Burnham will speak to the Prime Minister of Mauritius about the Chagos deal prior to his meeting with Trump tomorrow at the UN General Assembly. Priorities…
Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam has told reporters in Port Louis that he plans to hold talks over the phone with Burnham this afternoon about implementing the Chagos surrender deal. There have also been suggestions that the Mauritians are planning to exercise broader pressure on the UK at UNGA in New York from tomorrow…
Nigel Farage said: “I have it on good authority that the PM will tomorrow at midday be speaking to the Mauritian Prime Minister.” It is unclear whether Ramgoolam or Mauritian representatives will meet Burnham in New York in person…
The deal was pulled out of Parliament after Trump made the force of US opposition to it clear in April this year. As Guido revealed Burnham is still committed to it in public. Is Andy taking his lines from Mauritius before the Trump showdown?
UPDATE: A Downing Street spokesperson said:
“The Prime Minister spoke with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, this afternoon.
The Prime Minister began by setting out his intention for the UK and Mauritius to work closely together.
He noted the clear benefits the two countries could bring to each other across a range of shared objectives, including tackling climate change, combatting illicit finance, and boosting growth and trade, as they looked to create opportunities for people at home.
Turning to the future of the military base on Diego Garcia, the Prime Minister underlined his commitment to working with Mauritius and the United States on a way forward that secures the operation of the base and protects UK national security.
The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact, with the Prime Minister adding that he hoped the UK Foreign Secretary and Mauritian Foreign Minister Ramful would be able to meet this week at UNGA to further strengthen the relationship between the UK and Mauritius.”
Asked by Lobby hacks about his past comments on Trump (“any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now”) Burnham was blithe:
“Politicians say things throughout their career, but now the important thing is to focus on the moment you are in.”
Were it so easy…