The Falkland Islands remain firmly under British control, the islands’ governor has insisted, amid a row over the Chagos Islands. It was announced on Thursday morning that Sir Keir Starmer’s government had given up the Chagos Islands, handing the Indian Ocean territory to Mauritius.
The Chagos Islands were British-owned from 1814 but have now been signed away by the government in a deal it claimed would safeguard global security by ending a long-running dispute.
Alison Blake, the Governor of the Falkland Islands, said in a statement: “I am aware that there may be concerns, either amongst the Falkland Islands community or others, of potential read across to the Falkland Islands.”
“I would like to reassure you that the legal and historical contexts of the Chagos Archipelago and the Falkland Islands are very different. UK ministers have been very clear throughout the process that the UK will not agree to anything that runs the risk of jeopardising sovereignty in other Overseas Territories.”
“The UK Government remains committed to defending the Falkland Islanders’ right of self-determination, and the UK’s unwavering commitment to defend UK sovereignty remains undiminished.”
