It comes after Donald Trump called the UK's deal to hand sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY". The UK says the deal protects the UK-US military base there, which was "under threat after court decisions undermined our position". Under the deal - yet to be ratified - the UK would hand over the islands but keep the base under a 99-year lease, which could be extended by 40 years

Trump writes on Truth Social: "Shockingly, our "brilliant" NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER". The Trump administration has previously backed the deal - in May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a "monumental achievement". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the 99-year lease on the military base will cost the UK £101m a year - BBC Verify has looked at the numbers. (BBC)