Sir Oliver Dowden MP has questioned the government again on the Chagos Island deal.

This follows reports that the government's offer of £9 billion payment for the continued use of Diego Garcia to the Mauritians.

At HM Treasury Questions, Sir Oliver asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer about how the government were planning to pay for the deal. The Chancellor offered an unconvincing answer.

Sir Oliver said: ‘Does the Chancellor of the Exchequer propose to fund the reported £9 billion bill for the continued use of Diego Garcia to the Mauritians through higher taxes, through more borrowing or through spending cuts?'

The Chancellor of the Exchequer answered: 'We’re in discussions with the new administration in the United States around the future of Diego Garcia. We will set out details in the spending review as he would expect.'