Sovereignty of Falkland Islands and Gibraltar 'not up for negotiation', says PM

The Prime Minister said the Falkland Islands 'are British and will remain British' and added that sovereignty in Gibraltar 'is equally not to be negotiated'

British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar will not be on the negotiation table, Sir Keir Starmer has declared.

He told the Commons that both territories "are British and will remain British" Concerns over the territories were raised after the Government announced its decision to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, and Argentina vowed to gain “full sovereignty” of the Falkland Islands.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy faced angry scens as he presented details of the agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands. Mr Lammy highlighted that the government aims to finalise this treaty by 2025, describing it as a "historic moment" that secures the future of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir recounted his personal connection to the Falklands, mentioning his uncle's wartime experience: "My uncle nearly lost his life when his ship was torpedoed defending the Falklands, they are British, and they will remain British. And sovereignty in Gibraltar is equally not to be negotiated."

"Of course we will do everything we can to make it easier for all businesses to trade more freely so that we can grow our economy. I’ve been very clear about the Falklands, it’s personal to me."

Sir Keir has previously spoken about his uncle Roger who served in the Falklands on HMS Antelope. In a speech in June this year, he said: “I remember the terrible wait when his ship was bombed. My mum’s fear as she sat by the radio every day, listening for news, and then the relief, a long week later, when we found out he had survived.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks on Wednesday came in response to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who said: “He’s right to say one of the many problems for our economy coming from the dreadful Brexit deal was the red tape that is being put on businesses.

Mr Davey added: "Now there are many examples of that, but a new example came to me earlier this week and it affects fisherman in the Falklands, who are otherwise having to pay huge amounts in tariffs to be able to sell their produce into the European market or sail under a Spanish flag."

"So when the Prime Minister renegotiates the trade deal, can he remember the overseas territories and ensure that British citizens fishing off the Falklands can sail proudly under the Union Jack? ".

Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino vowed last week to reclaim sovereignty over the islands they refer to as the Malvinas: "Following the path we have already taken, with concrete actions and not empty rhetoric, we will recover full sovereignty over our Malvinas Islands," she proclaimed.

Spain’s foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares has meanwhile urged the UK to close a deal on Gibraltar’s post-Brexit trade situation by November 10, a date when a new EU border control regime is set to kick in, according to news agency Reuters.

The UK and Spain have been in talks over a new agreement concerning the rules for Gibraltar's border since Britain's departure from the EU. Albares reportedly stated that it is "up to Britain to decide" whether it wants Gibraltar to be part of the border-free Schengen area after this date, or if it prefers "this system of entry and exit for Gibraltar residents".