Falklands tells ‘bully’ Trump to back off
The Falklands government has rebuked Donald Trump and told him the islands are British after the Pentagon drew up proposals to support Argentine claims over sovereignty. The US is reviewing its official position on the islands as a means to punish the UK for failing to support its war with Iran. Islanders and Sir Keir Starmer condemned the move, while war veterans accused the US president of “bullying”. In a statement, the Falkland Islands government said that 99.8 per cent of voters on the island had cast their ballot in favour of remaining a British Overseas Territory. It added: “The Falkland Islands has complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK Government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination.” Sir Keir also hit back at the Trump administration shortly after leaked emails suggested that the US position was under review. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said he could “not be clearer” that the islands were a sovereign British Overseas Territory and that their right to self-determination was paramount. The spokesman said: “Sovereignty rests with …