It would be “very reasonable” for the King to speak to Donald Trump about UK sovereignty of the Falkland Islands during next week’s state visit to US, the shadow home secretary has said.
A leaked internal Pentagon email suggested the US could review its backing for the UK’s claim on the South Atlantic territory as revenge for Sir Keir Starmer’s lack of support for Donald Trump’s war in Iran.
Downing Street has insisted the islands’ sovereignty was “not in question”, but the potential shift in US policy has prompted Argentina to renew calls for talks with the UK over the Falklands.
The Pentagon email set out options for Mr Trump’s administration to punish Nato allies for refusing to join the US-Israeli strikes against Iran.
Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and invaded in 1982 before being defeated in a short but bloody war with the UK.
Chris Philp told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “The British government should do everything possible to keep those islands British, including making sure there is enough military hardware on the islands to protect them.”
He added: “I think it would be a reasonable point for the King to raise, of course, it’s up to him what he decides to discuss, but I think it would be very reasonable for the King to raise that with President Trump.”
The chief secretary to the prime minister was asked on the same programme if the King would tell Mr Trump it would be a mistake to reassess Britain’s relationship with the Falklands.
Darren Jones responded: “I obviously can’t predict what His Majesty will say in a private meeting with the president, but in relation to the Falklands, the government position is very clear: the Falklands is British territory and the only people that get to decide otherwise are the islanders themselves.”
The Falkland Islands government said it had “complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination”
The row has been the latest sign of the strains in the US-UK relationship as the King and Queen prepare for their state visit on Monday.
Mr Philip also said Charles’s trip to the US “should absolutely go ahead”, despite the attempted shooting at a Washington dinner attended by the US president.
Gunshots rang out inside the hotel shortly after 8:30pm, prompting scenes of panic as Secret Service agents rushed the president and other Cabinet officials out of the ballroom, while others took cover beneath tables.
A suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, according to The New York Times, shot and injured one law enforcement officer before being detained.
Mr Jones said the King’s security would be reviewed following the shooting. He told the BBC: “As you would imagine, the government and the Palace were in close cooperation with American counterparts in advance of the visit anyway, and further discussions will be taking place today, ahead of next week.”
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