Keir Starmer’s 8-word response on whether Falklands will be handed over like Chagos Island.H
Sir Keir Starmer leaving Downing Street ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the Falkland Islands “will remain British” following a row over Labour’s decision to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The Prime Minister said the Falklands Island is “personal” to him.
Speaking in the Common, he said: “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.”
His comments 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.
“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?”
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It was announced on October 3 that a historic agreement had been reached that would see sovereignty of the Chagos Islands transfer to Mauritius after more than 200 years in British hands.
The UK Government said this will secure the operational effectiveness of a joint UK-US base on the largest island, Diego Garcia, which will remain in place for an “initial period” of 99 years.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy sought to reassure MPs that the deal with Mauritius “does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories”.
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This follows concern about Labour’s position on other disputed territories, including the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar.
The Foreign Secretary said: “I want to reassure the House and all members of the UK family worldwide that this agreement does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories.
“British sovereignty on the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the sovereign base areas, is not up for negotiation. The situations are not comparable.
“This has been acknowledged across our overseas territories.”
