The governments of Britain and Mauritius have reached a final deal to settle the future of the Chagos Islands but have been barred from signing it by a British judge.

Keir Starmer says the deal - which involves leasing the Diego Garcia base for 99 years, with the option of another 40 - is in the UK's national interest.

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain signed a multi-billion dollar deal on the future of the Chagos Islands with Mauritius after a last-gasp injunction was overturned, securing itself a lease for the U.S.-UK Diego Garcia air base for the next century.