Britain’s Chagos Islands handover sealed after last-minute legal fight – POLITICO

LONDON — Britain’s handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was finally confirmed despite a dramatic 11th-hour legal move to halt the deal.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Thursday afternoon that the controversial deal — which will see Britain cede sovereignty of one of its remaining imperial possessions and pay £101m a year to lease back a joint U.K.-U.S. military base at Diego Garcia — was done, insisting there was "no alternative but to act in Britain's national interest."

The move comes after last-minute legal wrangling over the agreement, which had been expected to get the green-light at a virtual signing ceremony Thursday morning.