Falklands veteran Simon Weston has expressed concerns about the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, despite receiving direct ministerial assurances that the territory's status remains secure.
Speaking to GB News, Weston revealed that although a Government minister had told him the Falklands had "never been on the table for discussion" with Argentina, he remained worried about the islands' future.
The veteran's concern stems from what he perceives as the Labour Government's willingness to negotiate sovereignty arrangements for other British overseas territories.
He pointed to recent deals involving the Chagos Islands and Gibraltar as troubling precedents that could potentially affect the Falklands' status.
Simon Weston has expressed concern for the fate of the Falkland Islands after Labour's Gibraltar deal
PA / GB News
Weston criticised the Government's track record on overseas territories, noting that in just 11 months since taking office, they had already made significant sovereignty concessions.
"Considering this Government's only been in place for about 11 months, they've already interfered in two overseas territories; paying one country to take over the Chagos Islands; they've got rid of that," he said.
He expressed particular concern about how these precedents might encourage Argentina's territorial ambitions.
"I'm clearly convinced that's going to be something [the Argentinians] want to try to achieve with the current track record," Weston stated.
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Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said he was 'delighted we have finalised a conclusive political agreement which will bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar'PARegarding the Gibraltar agreement, Weston acknowledged that Chief Minister Fabian Picardo appeared satisfied with the arrangement, noting he "was absolutely elated with David Lammy" when photographed.
However, Weston expressed reservations about the deal's implications, particularly concerning the 90-day residency rule.
"I have my concerns about the 90-day relationship, whether they can stay [in Gibraltar]. I have friends who have property in Gibraltar.
"I have friends who live in Gibraltar, and I'm wondering how it's going to affect them, because the rules seem to be fairly abrupt in Europe, about the 90-day exclusion," he explained.
Weston told GB News that a minister had assured the Falkland Islands were 'off the table'
GB News
Despite his concerns, Weston revealed he had received direct reassurance from a senior government figure involved with overseas territories.
"I've spoken to somebody quite high in the government involved in overseas territories and he absolutely swore blind, straight to my face when asked the deliberate question, 'What about the Falklands?'" Weston recounted.
He added: "He said it's never been on the table for any discussion with anybody, and certainly not the Argentinians."
However, Weston's confidence in such assurances appeared limited: "I suppose you've got to take him to his word. But you just don't know anymore," he concluded.
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