Tory MP Pockets £75,000 Advising Mauritius on Chagos Islands Deal
Senior Tory MP's consulting fees revealed as UK negotiates £90m Chagos Islands surrender
Has the non-elected Attorney-General, Lord Hermer, been told to lay low?
As a strategy, it may be working. Today is the first day in over a month with no mention of him in media monitoring.
Not that all of Lord Hermer’s plans are remaining out of sight. His desire to surrender UK rights over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is again under scrutiny.
The Times (13/3/25) revealed that Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Cox received £75,000 for advising the Mauritian government onthe Chagos Islands during a key period before a significant deal.
Under this agreement, Britain will pay £90 million for 99 years to lease back Diego Garcia, home to a US naval base.
Sir Geoffrey has been one of the highest-earning MPs due to his legal work as a barrister. He has a longstanding connection to Mauritius — he calls it his "second home" after 30 years of visits.
His advisory role contributed to Mauritius's pursuit of the Chagos Islands case in international courts, resulting in a multibillion-pound settlement.
In November 2024, Cox was flown business class to Mauritius for a political event, costing £13,302, in addition to his advisory payment.
His legal firm, Withers, was also hired by the Mauritian government to assist with the Chagos Islands negotiations. However, Cox clarified he was not involved in reviewing the draft treaties.
Since 2023, Cox has earned £86,000 from the Mauritian government and received a £9,375 payment for advising Dentons, another legal firm involved in the Chagos case.
Despite these financial ties, Cox has denied any discussion of the Chagos dispute with Mauritian Prime Minister Ramgoolam after the latter's electoral victory.
No wonder unelected lawyers favour international law — which they can shape to suit their agendas and line their pockets — over laws enacted by a democratically elected parliament.
https://www.thetimes.com/article/c05495ab-5a96-4b0f-b26c-312e32577764