Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

Debate between Priti Patel and Paul Holmes

2nd reading
Tuesday 9th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely correct.

[Paul Holmes]

My right hon. Friend is concerned about the cost of the deal, but does she also share my concern about the way in which the deal was negotiated? The Prime Minister of Mauritius has said that only the Prime Ministers of our respective countries were in the room; officials were asked to leave the room, so there are no records of what was discussed. Is that how a responsible, democratic Government should show transparency when negotiating on the international stage?

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right; at the heart of this is transparency about negotiations, including fiscal negotiations.