“Support the Islanders” | Falklands veteran Simon Weston calls on PM to "speak to Mr Trump"

BBC Newsnight Political Editor interviews Falklands War veteran Simon Weston after Argentinian President Milei restates claim to the Islands. The UK's position on the Falkland Islands is "unwavering", Downing Street has said after Argentina's president said the islands were "historically and legally" Argentinian. Andy Burnham "fully supports the wishes of the islanders to remain a British overseas territory", a Downing Street spokesperson said. Javier Milei said the "winds of change" favoured his country's claim to the islands and pledged sanctions on firms planning to exploit oil close to the islands. A British and Israeli partnership due to begin exploration work on the Sea Lion oilfield said it didn't expect recent developments to affect its work in the region. More than 40 years after the war over the territory, sovereignty of the archipelago in the south-west Atlantic Ocean remains hotly disputed between Britain and Argentina. However in a 2013 referendum, residents of the islands voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory - with 99.8% voting in favour and just three voting against. When asked about if the prime minister believed the UK had the necessary forces to defend the sovereignty of the islands the spokesperson said "they will remain so far as long as the islanders wish". "Our armed forces are on standby 24/7 to protect the UK and our interests", the spokesperson added. #newsnight #falklandswar #falklandislands #falklands #javiermilei #donaldtrump #trump #andyburnham #burnham #ukpolitics #milei #argentina