Sir Keir Starmer is now planning to delay introducing the Chagos Surrender Bill back to Parliament following Donald Trump’s stunning outburst opposing the handover. The US president’s latest furious intervention opposing the archipelago’s sale to Mauritius has now sparked panic, with a UK official revealing a fresh delay will be announced to give the Government “pause for thought”.

Taking to social media on Wednesday, Mr Trump warned Sir Keir that he is making “a big mistake” in surrendering the British Overseas Territory. He blasted: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA! Prime Minister Starmer is losing control of this important island by claims of entities never known of before. In our opinion, they are fictitious in nature.”

Mr Trump also said in his message: “I have been telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of the United Kingdom, that leases are no good when it comes to countries, and that he is making a big mistake by entering a 100-year lease with whoever it is that is ‘claiming’ right, title, and interest to Diego Garcia.”

The president said Diego Garcia, strategically located in the Indian Ocean, could be crucial if America needs to take military action against Iran.

He warned: “Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime.”

Mr Trump added the threat could be “an attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries”.

Despite the stark warning about Britain’s security, the president insisted: “Our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years.”

Since coming to power, the Labour Government has insisted it has no power to avoid giving the islands to Mauritius, following pressure from international human rights lawyers.

This week, dramatic scenes unfolded on the Indian Ocean islands when the First Minister of the Chagossian government-in-exile, Misley Mandarin, led an expedition to re-settle on the territory.

Mr Mandarin and others, including former Tory MP Adam Holloway, landed on a remote island beach in a defiant stand against the surrender.

The extraordinary scenes were captured on video as Mr Mandarin held aloft a Union Flag and shouted: “God save the King!”

Mr Holloway personally helped the four-man group raise funds for the mission and worked on mapping the route they would take.

Just one day later, Sir Keir sparked fury after the Government served those on the island with an eviction notice demanding they leave or face years in prison.

Revealing the news, Mr Mandarin blasted: “This is really appalling, we have been exiled from our homeland for more than half a century.

“Now, having this vessel serve me this order that if I do not leave the island I might have to be in prison for three years or pay a hefty fine. I am very angry about it.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage slammed: “Keir Starmer is now trying to evict the Chagossians who have resettled on their homeland.

“First Minister Misley was served an eviction notice this morning. It should be rescinded. The Chagossian people deserve their right to self-determination.”