Nigel Farage is travelling to Florida to dine with Donald Trump at the US president’s Mar-a-Lago residence as relations between the British government and the White House remain strained.
The Reform UK leader said he plans to discuss the government’s proposal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia for £101 billion over a 99-year period.
Legislation that would authorise the handover of the archipelago has been paused in Parliament after Trump again withdrew his backing for the arrangement.
Chagos Islands Deal At Centre Of UK–US Political Dispute
Farage has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to “give away Diego Garcia”, warning that such a move would be a “blight on our Great Ally”.
Trump previously indicated support for the agreement but later reversed his position following the UK’s refusal to allow American forces to use British military bases for pre-emptive strikes on Iran.
Farage, who has long opposed the proposed deal and maintains a personal relationship with the US president, criticised the government’s approach earlier this year.
He claimed last month that Starmer “risks alienating our most important ally by giving away the Chagos Islands, the worst deal in British history”.
Nigel Farage To Reinforce Opposition During Mar-A-Lago Visit
Speaking at a ‘Save Chagos Boat Party’ on Thursday, Farage told GB News — where he also works as a presenter — that he would meet Trump in Florida.
“We think this is the central plan for this government’s foreign policy and we are beating them back,” Farage said. “President Trump has almost understood the deal, but I will be dining at Mar-a-Lago tomorrow night and we will reinforce the message.”
The UK has since granted the United States permission to use its military bases for limited, defensive purposes in its ongoing conflict with Iran.
Starmer And Trump Clash As Iran Conflict Deepens
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also cautioned the White House about the legal implications of the war and suggested that Trump lacks a clear strategy.
The US president responded by criticising the British leader, saying he is “not Winston Churchill”, a remark that comes as the traditionally close UK–US partnership faces renewed pressure.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Shabana Mahmood Blasts Zack Polanski’s ‘Open Borders Fairytale’ As She Unveils Tough UK Immigration Crackdown
Farage has also argued that Britain should support Trump’s military action against Iran, despite polling indicating limited domestic backing. A YouGov survey found that only 29% of Britons supported the US-Israeli strikes carried out last weekend.
Why you can trust SurgeZirc UK. Learn more about our editorial standards.
