British troops withdraw from South Georgia

British troops have withdrawn from South Georgia, almost 20 years after its invasion by Argentinian soldiers sparked the Falklands War.

A group of Royal Engineers handed over authority to a scientific team from the British Antarctic Survey.

The handover took place during a ceremony at Ernest Shackleton's grave on the South Atlantic island.

Commander of British Forces Air Commodore John Cliffe said: "As we hand over the baton, we should look back with great pride at what the military has achieved in South Georgia, not just in the last 19 years, but since Captain Cook called here over two and a quarter centuries ago."

Critics argue the move could jeopardise the safety of the Falkland Islands, because it was the lack of troops on South Georgia that led to the invasion.

There was no British military presence on the 100-mile island when an Argentinian Navy ice breaker arrived in December 1981, marking the start of activity that led to the Falklands War.

A small contingent of Royal Marines was sent to defend the island, but under attack in April 1982 the heavily-outnumbered troops were forced to surrender.

Three weeks later the island was retaken by the British Task Force and there has been a British military presence until today.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Security will not be jeopardised. There is a long history of British presence on the island, but not of British troops. We are returning to 1982 in effect, where it will be a civilian population carrying out scientific work there."

But shadow defence secretary Iain Duncan Smith questioned the wisdom of the troops' withdrawal. He said: "This seems to be a complacent statement. For the MoD to say they are 'returning to 1982 in effect' looks indelicate and clumsy."