The Falkland Islands have hit back at the United States after it was reported that a memo suggested Britain’s soveriengty over the archipelago could be reviewed. The document is believed to have suggested that European “imperial possessions” could be examined, which would include the British overseas territory in the South Atlantic.
A spokesperson for the Falkland Islands Government said: “Self-determination is a fundamental human right enshrined in article one, paragraph two of the Charter of the United Nations. In 2013, the Falkland Islands held an internationally observed sovereignty referendum, in which 99.8% of voters, on a turnout of 92 per cent, voted in favour of remaining an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom.”
It added: “The Falkland Islands has complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK Government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination.”
Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said earlier today: “We could not be clearer about the UK’s position on the Falklands.
“It’s longstanding, it’s unchanged. Sovereignty rests with the UK and self-determination is paramount.”
They added: “The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining an overseas territory. We have always stood behind the right to self-determination.”
He also said the UK has “expressed this position previously clearly to successive US administrations”.
On whether he were confident the UK could defend the Falklands, he replied: “That is not the situation we’re in. That’s a hypothetical.”
“We’ve expressed our position before, we’ll continue to express that position,” the spokesman added.
“Sovereignty rests with us. Self-determination is paramount.”
Robert Midgley, spokesperson for Friends of the British Overseas Territories said: “On the 44th anniversary of the Falklands War, it’s unthinkable that our closest ally would even consider shifting on the islanders’ right to self‑determination.
“The Falklands have been British longer than Argentina has existed — and the islanders’ democratic choice must be respected.”
Patrick Watts MBE , 81, was the radio station manager in Stanley when the Argentines invaded in 1982. He stoically continued to broadcast after soldiers burst into his studio.
He told The Express that the King needs to “step up to the plate”.
Mr Watts told Mr Trump: “Please leave the Falklands alone. “We’re a peaceful community, a financially autonomous community that wishes to remain British, and there’s no desire to change to any other regime, or under any other country’s control. Leave us out of this equation.”
