‘Put down the bong’: Senator lashes out at UK prime minister on Senate floor

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., recently launched a scathing attack against U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer over a controversial plan to relinquish a military base in the Indian Ocean. Kennedy warned Starmer to “put down the bong” and reconsider the decision to hand over control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

During a speech on the Senate floor, Kennedy expressed his strong opposition to the plan, which would see the U.K. giving up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, home to the U.S.-U.K. joint naval base at Diego Garcia. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2019 that the U.K. had no claim to the islands, prompting the decision to transfer control to Mauritius.

Kennedy criticized the move as “bone deep down to the marrow stupid,” emphasizing the strategic importance of the military base in the region. He urged Starmer to think twice about the decision, warning of potential consequences for the U.K.’s alliance with the U.S. and the security implications of giving up control of the islands.

While expressing his love for the United Kingdom and emphasizing the importance of the relationship between the two countries, Kennedy made it clear that he believed the plan to hand over the islands was a mistake. He urged Starmer to reconsider, stating that it would be a significant part of his legacy if he proceeded with the transfer.

In a moment of regret, Kennedy acknowledged that his comments about Starmer needing to “put down the bong” were inappropriate and apologized for them. Despite this, he stood firm in his opposition to the plan and pledged to support the U.K. in pushing back against the United Nations’ pressure to relinquish control of the islands.

The prime minister’s office has yet to respond to Kennedy’s remarks. It remains to be seen how the U.K. government will address the concerns raised by the senator and whether the plan to hand over the Chagos Islands will proceed as scheduled.

In conclusion, Sen. Kennedy’s strong stance against the plan to relinquish control of the Chagos Islands reflects the broader concerns about the strategic implications of such a move. The debate over the future of the islands and the naval base at Diego Garcia is likely to continue, with both the U.K. and the U.S. facing pressure to reconsider their positions on the issue.