Falklands War veteran Simon Weston has claimed recent UK government concessions on Gibraltar and the Chagos Islands risk encouraging Argentina to escalate its claim on the Falkland Islands. Earlier this week the UK agreed a new deal with Gibraltar’s government that some see as a retreat from British sovereignty.
The government also paid Mauritius to take over the Chagos Islands, a move widely criticised as handing over territory without adequate consultation. For Mr Weston, who fought in the 1982 Falklands War, these decisions risk sending the wrong message to Argentina. He said: “The government has only been in place for about 11 months and already they’ve interfered in two overseas territories. Paying one country to take over the Chagos Islands — they’ve got rid of that. And with Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo seems quite happy with the deal.”
He told GB News: “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.”
The veteran continued: “If you’ve ever seen the programme ‘Cops on the Rock’ one of the reasons they say they have to have such stringent checks is the worry about cigarettes being smuggled because Gibraltar had no VAT on cigarettes. To be honest with you, the more you charge for cigarettes, the happier I am.”
Mr Weston said the issue of smuggling was used to justify strict border controls but questioned the effectiveness of those measures. “The fact is that they were always chasing these unbelievable boats that could go much quicker, and they’d be landing on the Spanish post, delivering drugs and cigarettes anyway. So I don’t see that as being a justifiable reason for some of the checks went on.”
He described his own experience crossing into Gibraltar: “I’ve been to Gibraltar several different times, crossed over on the land bridge, and the interference by the Border Patrol there was quite ridiculous. But I suppose they’re doing the job to irritate as best they can — or they were and now that one goes away.”
Mr Weston’s main concern was the impact of recent deals on the security and sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. “But I do worry about the Falklands and how easily we’ve done these two deals that seem to have thrown everything away.”
He said he had sought reassurance from a senior government official 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?’ He said it’s never been on the table for any discussion with anybody, and certainly not the Argentinians.”
But Mr Weston said that reassurance only went so far. “I suppose you’ve got to take him to his word. But you just don’t know anymore.”
He warned: “Any sign of weakness risks emboldening Argentina’s ambitions and threatening the hard-won sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.”
Mr Weston served in the British Army during the Falklands War and suffered severe burns during the conflict. Since then he has been a vocal advocate for veterans and a keen commentator on issues related to the islands. His concerns reflect a wider unease among some former service members and residents about the government’s approach to Britain’s overseas territories.
The Falklands remain a sensitive issue between the UK and Argentina, which continues to claim sovereignty over the islands. The 1982 conflict, which cost the lives of 255 British personnel and three civilians, ended with the UK retaining control. However, Argentina’s claim has persisted diplomatically, and any perceived softness on British territorial integrity risks reigniting tensions.
Mr Weston’s warnings come at a time when the UK government is under pressure to clarify its stance on overseas territories. The concessions on Gibraltar and the Chagos Islands have drawn criticism from opposition politicians and commentators who say Britain should not be making deals that compromise sovereignty.
Mr Weston continued: “The government has to show strength on these issues. If you give an inch, they take a mile.”
His fears for the Falklands are grounded in the legacy of the war but also in contemporary geopolitical shifts. The government’s recent overseas territory decisions, he argues, may signal vulnerability.
Mr Weston said: “This is about more than just the islands. It’s about British pride and our willingness to stand up for what we own.
“If you weaken your position on Gibraltar and the Chagos, you’re effectively telling Argentina they can push harder on the Falklands. That’s a dangerous message to send.”
The veteran concluded: “We have to be absolutely clear that the Falklands are British, and any sign of weakness risks emboldening Argentina’s ambitions and threatening the hard-won sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.”
This statement from a war veteran carries significant weight, given the sacrifices made during the conflict and the ongoing sensitivity of the issue. The government’s handling of overseas territories will continue to be closely watched by supporters of British sovereignty and those who served in the Falklands War.
