Downing Street has stated that the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is “not in question”, following reports of a leaked Pentagon memo suggesting the US may reconsider its diplomatic stance.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasised the islanders’ “right to self-determination”, noting their overwhelming vote to remain a UK overseas territory. The reported memo, cited by Reuters, outlined possible US responses to NATO allies that withheld support during strikes on Iran.
“The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory, and we’ve always stood behind the islanders’ right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty rests with the UK,” the No 10 spokesman said.
Asked if the government was worried by the risk of the US changing its position on the Falklands, the spokesman said: “No, and as I say, we’ve expressed this position previously, clearly and consistently to successive US administrations, and nothing is going to change that.”
“The question of the Falkland Islands and the UK’s sovereignty and the islanders’ right to self-determination is not in question, and we’ve expressed that position clearly and consistently,” he said.
The developments come ahead of King Charles III’s state visit to the United States, amid broader strains in UK–US relations.
Key developments:
- Pentagon memo reportedly explores reviewing support for European “imperial possessions”
- President Donald Trump warns of tariffs over the UK’s digital services tax
- Pablo Quirno, Argentina’s foreign minister, reiterates sovereignty claims and calls for negotiations
- House of Lords report warns UK–US ties face their greatest strain since the Second World War
Downing Street said the UK would not alter its tax policy under pressure, while maintaining confidence in the bilateral relationship.
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