Government rejects claim Chagos deal to cost £18bn amid growing Labour backlash – UK politics live

Foreign policy set to dominate PMQs amid unease over deal with Mauritius and Trump’s Gaza commentsKeir Starmer praised the “important role” Denmark plays in defending the security of the Arctic region as he met his Danish counterpart last night, amid a diplomatic row with the US over the sovereignty of Greenland, PA Media reports.The PM hosted Mette Frederiksen for a working dinner in Downing Street evening as her country faces a dispute with Donald Trump, who has said he wants to acquire the Nordic island. In public No 10 has signalled its support for Denmark, while trying to avoid saying anything that might antagonise Trump or escalate the dispute.We had a very good meeting.I consider UK as one of our biggest and most important allies, and he is a close friend and colleague to me and to Denmark.Turning to security in the High North and Arctic region, the prime minister paid tribute to the important role Denmark was playing and welcomed their recent announcement of a new military package to defend the Arctic from hostile activity.Both leaders agreed to step up joint cooperation to address threats in the Arctic and High North, working with allies through Nato and JEF [Joint Expeditionary Force] Partners.We’re still in a ceasefire with three phases. We’re not through the first phase.Coming to the rebuilding is, of course, phase three. Having a vision – and what we heard overnight absolutely sounds like a vision in terms of rebuilding, creating hope, opportunity, prosperity for the people of Gaza – that is obviously an end state.I think we are a long way, if I may say so, from even speaking about new governance, new structures.Clearly, this is an aspiration. These are discussions that must, must absolutely happen. But they’ve got to happen collectively. It’s not for one country to dictate what that’s going to look like. This is going to be a negotiation. Continue reading...

Feb 5, 2025 - 11:50
 0
Government rejects claim Chagos deal to cost £18bn amid growing Labour backlash – UK politics live

Foreign policy set to dominate PMQs amid unease over deal with Mauritius and Trump’s Gaza comments

Keir Starmer praised the “important role” Denmark plays in defending the security of the Arctic region as he met his Danish counterpart last night, amid a diplomatic row with the US over the sovereignty of Greenland, PA Media reports.

The PM hosted Mette Frederiksen for a working dinner in Downing Street evening as her country faces a dispute with Donald Trump, who has said he wants to acquire the Nordic island. In public No 10 has signalled its support for Denmark, while trying to avoid saying anything that might antagonise Trump or escalate the dispute.

We had a very good meeting.

I consider UK as one of our biggest and most important allies, and he is a close friend and colleague to me and to Denmark.

Turning to security in the High North and Arctic region, the prime minister paid tribute to the important role Denmark was playing and welcomed their recent announcement of a new military package to defend the Arctic from hostile activity.

Both leaders agreed to step up joint cooperation to address threats in the Arctic and High North, working with allies through Nato and JEF [Joint Expeditionary Force] Partners.

We’re still in a ceasefire with three phases. We’re not through the first phase.

Coming to the rebuilding is, of course, phase three. Having a vision – and what we heard overnight absolutely sounds like a vision in terms of rebuilding, creating hope, opportunity, prosperity for the people of Gaza – that is obviously an end state.

I think we are a long way, if I may say so, from even speaking about new governance, new structures.

Clearly, this is an aspiration. These are discussions that must, must absolutely happen. But they’ve got to happen collectively. It’s not for one country to dictate what that’s going to look like. This is going to be a negotiation. Continue reading...