Donald Trump will rule on the future of the Chagos Islands after his team directly intervened in the British Government’s deal.

The Telegraph understands that Mr Trump’s team demanded Britain delay its decision to hand back the strategic islands to Mauritius until he was back in the White House.

Mr Trump is expected to review the deal after he retakes office on Monday and is fully briefed on security concerns surrounding Chinese influence over the territory.

Senior members of the Trump team, including Marco Rubio, the incoming secretary of state, and Mike Waltz, White House national security adviser, have said giving away the islands to Mauritius could help China’s military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.

Mr Trump will be presented with classified intelligence about the Diego Garcia air base and briefings on the legal question of the islands’ ownership after taking back the Oval Office, sources said.