Chagos Islands

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Harris of Haringey

Wednesday 2nd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We have received formal confirmation from the White House that the United States supports the UK proceeding with the deal. This follows a rigorous US inter-agency process. We welcome the US endorsement of the deal and the President’s recognition of its strength.

[Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)]

My Lords, given the synthetic anger from the Benches opposite, can my noble friend the Minister remind us how many rounds of negotiation to resolve this issue were done by the previous Government, and tell us who the Prime Ministers and Foreign Secretaries were who led those discussions?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We went through quite a few Prime Ministers and Foreign Secretaries. My recollection is that there were 12 or 13 rounds of negotiation under the previous Government.