Downing Street Pushes Back As Argentina Accuses UK Warship Of ‘Illegal Journey’

The prime minister’s spokesperson has rejected Argentine claims that a British warship had made an “illegal journey” into its waters.

Argentina’s foreign minister Pablo Quirno accused the Royal Navy’s HMS Medway of making a “military incursion” in July.

In a formal statement released hours after Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semi-final last night, Quirno claimed the ship had not notified his government of HMS Medway’s movements.

But No.10 rejected his claims, insisting the government did notify Argentina of its planned trip.

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “The facts here are that we notified the Argentinian government in advance of HMS Medway undertaking a routine logistics visit to Chile between 5 and 8 July to support British Antarctic survey operations, which will deliver essential stores and supplies to sustain scientific research in Antarctica.

“The Royal Navy always operates in full compliance with international law, and the transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile was carried out via the most direct practical route, considering operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.”

HMS Medway is normally based in the Falklands Islands as a patrol vessel.

Quirno lodged this “formal note of protest” with the British embassy to register his “strongest objection” to the UK move.

His statement came shortly after Argentina’s team sparked controversy by holding up a banner claiming the “Falkland Islands are Argentine” while celebrating their win over England.

Cabinet minister Peter Kyle urged football’s governing body FIFA to investigate the incident for breaching the apolitical nature of the game.

The archipelago, known as Las Malvinas in Argentina, is a British overseas territory, but the South American country continues to contest its sovereignty.

The cluster of islands sit approximately 300 miles from Argentina and 8,000 miles from the UK.

Argentina invaded the islands back in 1982, sparking a ten-week war with Britain which it lost.

The Falkland Islands also overwhelmingly voted to remain part of Britain in a 2013 referendum rather than join Argentina.

When asked about the banner, Downing Street’s spokesperson said: “The UK’s position is clear, the islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British territory and their right to self-determination is paramount.

“The Falkland Islanders are British with the right to determine their own future.”

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