Pravind Jugnauth Arrested, Chagos Islands Deal Faces Turmoil

Pravind Jugnauth, the former Prime Minister of Mauritius and key figure behind the controversial Chagos Islands deal, was interrogated by the Mauritian Financial Crimes Commission as part of a money laundering investigation. His home was searched, leading to the discovery of large sums of cash, luxury watches, and UK visas at the residence of a close associate. This development has raised significant concerns among UK political figures, particularly within the Conservative Party, who argue that it casts doubt on the integrity of the proposed agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the situation as a 'huge question mark' over the deal, warning that taxpayer money could be misappropriated. Both Philp and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel have called for greater transparency from the Labour government regarding the implications of this scandal on national interests. The unfolding events have intensified scrutiny over the planned transfer and its potential financial ramifications.