Blair aide who led Chagos 'surrender' named national security adviser

A former top aide to Tony Blair who led negotiations over 'surrendering' control of the Chagos Island has been made the Government's National Security Adviser.

Sir Keir Starmer today confirmed that Jonathan Powell would take up the senior post inside No10 in place of Sir Tim Barrow. 

Mr Powell spent 10 years in Downing Street as chief of staff to Sir Tony between 1997 and 2007 and played a central role in the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland. 

But in September this year he was named the government's special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius.

And he was one of the staunchest defenders of the subsequent deal struck to hand over the Chagos Islands - formally the British Indian Ocean Territory - to an island state 1,300 miles away which has close links with China. 

After the deal - which includes a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia airbase - was announced last month he said the BIOT was a group of 'very tiny islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean where no one actually goes'.

He told Times Radio: 'I don't think we should be too worried about losing that bit of territory. We're probably losing more to tidal erosion in the East Coast (of England) than that.'

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said: 'Meet the new National Security Advisor, who trades away our national security to please the diplomatic elite.' 

A Conservative Party spokesman added: 'It's disappointing the government have appointed another Labour apparatchik to a senior role sidelining an experienced General.

'Mr Powell's previous comments about the unimportance of British overseas territories are extremely concerning and many will be worried that there is more to come.'

In August the Guardian reported that Sir Keir had quietly overturned Rishi Sunak's decision to hand General Gwyn Jenkins the most senior security position in the Government.

General Jenkins was provisionally given the job in April to succeed Mr Barrow, who may be in line to be made Britain's ambassador to Washington.

But that process was abandoned after the election, with Sir Keir keen to appoint a Labour grandee to the prestigious diplomatic role instead.

Mr Powell's tenure as one of Sir Tony's closest confidantes came under intense scrutiny during the Hutton Inquiry into the death of scientist David Kelly.

He found himself in the media spotlight after the revelation that he had asked a security chief to change parts of the famous Iraq weapons dossier because some of the language posed 'a bit of a problem' for Downing Street.

His return to Downing Street is part of a wider shake-up under the new Labour administration that has seen former Blair-era figures brought back into the heart of government.

Last month Claire Reynolds, a former aide to Sir Tony and Gordon Brown, was appointed Sir Keir's political director, and several senior ministers also served key roles in both the New Labour administrations.

Sir Keir said: 'Jonathan has devoted his career to protecting the interests of the country, having served for 17 years as a diplomat in the Foreign Office and ten years as Chief of Staff in No10, and I am delighted to appoint him to this important role.

'Together with his experience helping to negotiate the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and work on some of the world's most complex conflicts, he is uniquely qualified to advise the Government on tackling the challenges ahead and engage with counterparts across the globe to protect and advance UK interests.

'I would also like to thank Sir Tim Barrow for his service and the support and advice he has given me. He has helped steer the national security community through some of the most challenging times in recent history, demonstrating throughout his outstanding commitment to public service and to the safety and security of this country. I've no doubt he will continue to play a positive role on these issues in the future.'

Mr Powell said: 'I am honoured to have been appointed as the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister. This is a hugely important role at a time where national security, international relations, and domestic policies are so interconnected.

'As the Prime Minister has set out, national security is at the heart of this country's response to the many challenges we face and having an integrated response will be crucial to our success. I look forward to advising the Prime Minister and working closely with ministers and officials in this new role.'