Labour’s Culture Secretary Lucy Nandy was challenged on GB News over claims Sir Keir Starmer is “undermining” his own defence of Greenland by handing over the Chagos Islands without the approval of Chagossians.
On Saturday evening, Sir Keir condemned Donald Trump’s “completely wrong” decision to slap 10 per cent tariffs on the UK and other European nations in an attempt to strike a deal with the continent over the Arctic territory.
The Prime Minister further reiterated the fate of Greenland should be determined by the nation’s people – but his argument does not appear to extend to the likes of Chagossians, many of whom have long campaigned for British sovereignty over the archipelago.
The President announced the European levies would apply from February 1 in a Truth Social post issuing a word of warning to nations including the UK, France, Germany and Norway after they deployed troops for a military exercise on the island.
But Camilla claimed Sir Keir’s argument was inconsistent with his readiness to hand over the Chagos Island to Mauritius, who were not offered the chance to vote on whether to remain under UK control.
Camilla asked: “Hasn’t the Prime Minister and indeed, the Labour Government, slightly undermined their own argument when it comes to the self-determination of Greenlanders and indeed the Danes?
“Because you gave away the Chagos Islands? I mean, you didn’t make that argument for Chagossians, so why should anyone believe it when the Prime Minister claims he wants to protect Greenlanders?”
Hitting back, Ms Nandy told GB News’ Camilla Tominey: “What we did in the Chagos Islands was actually, in fairness, a continuation of what the previous Conservative Government had been trying to do.
Lisa Nandy spoke with Camilla Tominey on GB News this morning
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GB NEWS
“But they not been able to manage [it] with the Americans, which was to make sure that we cut a deal that enabled us to secure the future of the Chagos Islands as a strategic base and to ensure that our security is protected.
“That, in the end, is what lies behind all of the decisions that we make as a Government is what is in the interests of the British people.”
She continued: “We do not think it is for a moment, in the interests of the British people, to allow a principle to be established where the future of a sovereign country is determined by the the American administration or anybody else.
“We do think it’s in our collective interest to work together to do as the Foreign Secretary was doing just this week over in Norway, increasing our presence there, making sure that we’re doubling the number of Marines in the region and working with the Americans, with the Canadians, and with our European counterparts to make sure that we deal with the threat of Russian aggression there.”
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PAReacting to Mr Trump’s brutal new tariffs, Sir Keir said: “Our position on Greenland is very clear – it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes.
“We have also made clear that Arctic security matters for the whole of Nato and allies should all do more together to address the threat from Russia across different parts of the Arctic.
“Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong.
“We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration.”
His condemnation was echoed around British political leaders, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch leading the charge, branding the levies a “terrible idea”.
Meanwhile, Reform chief Nigel Farage said his party “certainly doesn’t” agree with the US Government over the tariffs, adding: “If Greenland is vulnerable to malign influences, then have another look at Diego Garcia.”
In Labour’s handling of the Chagos deal, concerns were often flagged that the US-UK military base could be under threat of Chinese espionage due to close economic ties between Beijing and Mauritius.
In giving up British sovereignty, China is feared to be able take advantage of its alliance and expanding influence over the island country although the UK has insisted security guarantees within the deal will be struck.
