The boss of supermarket chain Iceland has said he is “very proud to back British interests” as he announced the opening of a store in the Falkland Islands.
Lord Richard Walker said his firm’s expansion plans into the British territory were “entirely coincidental” to Argentine president Javier Milei stepping up his nation’s sovereignty claims over the islands last week.
But he added that the territory was “very topical” and said it had “prompted us to make the announcement maybe a little bit earlier than we would have done”.
He said: “This isn’t something that can just be done knee-jerk.
“We’ve been searching and looking for and working with local partners, identifying the site, and then of course getting the stock over there.
“And it’s so far away the container is already on the water and has been for several weeks.
“So this was in process anyway, and we’ll be opening in December.
“Of course, it’s very topical and that prompted us to make the announcement maybe a little bit earlier than we would have done, but I felt it actually was an honour and important to show solidarity and support for the Falklanders at this time.
“So yeah, we’re very excited – the first British high street retailer to be opening on the island.”
He added: “We sell frozen food. We’re not trying to wade in to geopolitical issues.
“It’s not really our place, obviously, to wade into foreign policy, but all I can say is that we’re a family-owned business, we’ve been around for more than 50 years and we’re very proud to back British interests.
“This is about bringing our great quality food and value to our friends in the Falklands, and that’s what I’m excited about.”
On Thursday, the retailer announced that it had completed a deal to deliver on the pledge.
The Stanley store will stock Iceland’s own-label frozen products along with brands Cathedral City, MyProtein and TGI Fridays.
In response, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband wrote: “The Islands are British and will remain so because that is the overwhelming position of the islanders.”
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the UK’s commitment to the territory was “absolute and unshakeable”.
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