Ed Miliband ‘approves new drilling in Falklands oil field’

Ed Miliband has signed off on a new oil field development near the Falkland Islands, risking an escalation of tensions between Britain and Argentina.

Argentina’s president has said he will impose sanctions on oil drilling off the Falkland Islands and has threatened to file criminal charges against the Israeli energy company for operating around the islands.

But on Tuesday, it was reported that the foreign secretary has approved new drilling in the Sea Lion field, which is estimated to hold 1.7 billion barrels of oil and expected to start producing from 2028.

According to The Telegraph, the announcement was confirmed by Israeli energy company Navitas, which co-owns the oil field.

The decision will likely further sour relations between Britain and Argentina, and also spark backlash from both environmental groups and those calling for further drilling in the North Sea.

The Argentine government claims that oil companies drilling in the archipelago have violated Argentine law by holding exploration and exploitation licenses issued by the UK.

Javier Milei, Argentina’s president, said his government had determined that the Sea Lion offshore project, operated by Navitas Petroleum and Rockhopper Exploration, could begin oil development in the coming months, creating an urgent threat to Argentine interests.

“If we do not act swiftly, in a few months they will have the material capacity to access the oil that lies underneath our sea – something that has never happened before,” Milei said.

Meanwhile, Conservative shadow energy secretary accused Mr Miliband of “utter hypocrisy” for failing to approve new drilling in the North Sea.

“The utter hypocrisy of Ed Miliband knows no end,” he wrote on X.

“Yes, this is a very welcome decision but it does beg the question, why does Labour think drilling for oil and gas off the Falkland Islands is okay but not in our North Sea? Labour have no excuse for not backing Jackdaw and Rosebank.”

Last month Argentina’s president claimed the Falkland Islands were “under illegal foreign occupation” by the UK. He also threatened “to take matters into our own hands” as he spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum, with 99.8 per cent voting in favour – and just three votes against.

On Monday, Andy Burnham opened an investigation into reports of harassment against Falklands islanders after alleged intimidation from Argentina.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the government was looking into the reports, calling any attempts at intimidation “completely unacceptable” as he reiterated that support for the Falkland Islanders and their right to determine their own future “remained unwavering.”