Beacons for the Queen
Falklands islanders could light beacons to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The 3,000 residents of the South Atlantic archipelago will be helped by Westminster to join in celebrating the monarch’s 60 years on the throne. The move comes as tensions...
Falklands islanders could light beacons to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The 3,000 residents of the South Atlantic archipelago will be helped by Westminster to join in celebrating the monarch’s 60 years on the throne.
The move comes as tensions rise between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, with the Latin American country demanding negotiations over the land they call Las Malvinas.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Cambridge is preparing to fly to the Falklands for a six-week deployment as a search and rescue helicopter pilot, a move Buenos Aires dubbed as “provocative”.
Junior Culture Minister Hugh Robertson unveiled the plan, saying: “Overseas territories’ governments are being supported in their plans to hold Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which for many will include lighting a beacon to mark the occasion.”
David Cameron last week accused Buenos Aires of “colonialism” over Argentina’s claim to the islands as the 30th Anniversary of the Argentine invasion and subsequent war approaches. Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, he said: “What the Argentinians have been saying recently, I would argue, is far more like colonialism because these people want to remain British and the Argentinians want them to do something else.”
Mr Cameron was addressing MPs 24 hours after the National Security Council (NSC) held a meeting devoted entirely to the situation in the Falklands, which are 12,875 km from Britain.
Answering a written Parliamentary question tabled by Tory MP Andrew Rosindell (Romford), Mr Robertson said all British overseas territories would be helped to celebrate in June.
He added: “A series of key events will take place over the extended bank holiday weekend to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.