The US has made a last-ditch intervention on the future of the Chagos Islands, demanding a seat at the negotiating table alongside the UK and Mauritius, the Telegraph can reveal.

Navin Ramgoolam, the Mauritian prime minister, said the White House had asked for a “representative in the meetings” to reach a final deal concerning the disputed British territory.

“We have agreed to that,” he told The Telegraph.

Mr Ramgoolam refused to comment on any other parts of the proposed agreement that would involve Britain handing over control of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius, saying it was “too sensitive”.

The largest island, Diego Garcia, is home to a joint US-UK military base.