LABOUR is pressing ahead with its plan to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite a fresh tirade against the deal by US President Donald Trump.

Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said today that the government aimed to pass legislation implementing the transfer of the islands in the Indian Ocean as soon as possible.

She said: “This deal is essential and crucial for the national security of the United Kingdom and that is the first priority of any government.

“We will be bringing the Bill back as soon as parliamentary time allows, because this is about national security.”

US President Donald Trump once again attacked the plan, despite his own State Department formally approving it just two days ago.

In a message on his Truth Social network, Trump said: “Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100-year lease.

“This land should not be taken away from the UK and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our great ally.

“We will always be ready, willing and able to fight for the UK, but they have to remain strong in the face of wokeism, and other problems put before them.”

He added that the Diego Garcia US military base may be used in any upcoming US attack on Iran.

A British Foreign Office spokesperson attempted to reassure the bellicose president, saying: “The deal to secure the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia military is crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies, and to keeping the British people safe.

“The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base.”