UK will continue to protect Falklands and their islanders, defence minister says
A defence minister has reassured Falkland Islanders that the British Government will continue to protect them, and their right to self-determination.
Defence procurement minister Jeremy Quin made the journey to the South Atlantic Overseas Territory – home to just under 3,000 islanders – to represent the Government on the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands.
He joined Armed Forces personnel deployed to the Falklands and paid tribute to the 255 service personnel who died defending the Falkland Islands four decades ago following the Argentinian invasion on 2 April 1982.
Held every year on 14 June, Liberation Day commemorates the end of the occupation of the islands by Argentina in 1982.
Islanders gather at Christ Church Cathedral to mark the occasion with a thanksgiving service, followed by wreath-laying at the Liberation Monument and a military parade. The day is a public holiday in the South Atlantic islands.
Representing the British government in the Falklands on liberation day was the Minister of State for Defence procurement Jeremy Quin, who was also there he said to inspect the infrastructure on the base and ensure it's 'where it should be'.Â
Mr Quin said he was "honoured" to be visiting the people of the Falklands islands as he paid tribute to the 255 members of personnel who lost their lives defending the islands.
The Defence Minister had a "very firm message" which he said "the whole country shares".
"The right to self-determination is absolutely critical," he said.
"The islanders have that right, a right enshrined in the United Nations and we will continue to protect them and continue to protect the islanders as they exercise that right of self-determination."
Head to our Falklands 40 page, where you can find our memorial wall, as well as more Falklands stories, videos and podcasts.Â
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