THE Falklands Islands have been left without the protection of a British warship for the first time since the conflict 34 years ago. The Royal Navy has provided a "permanent presence" in the South Atlantic since British troops invaded the islands in 1982. But a manpower crisis, a need to deploy ships closer to home and a series of engine problems with the Navy's Type 45 destroyers has led to the islands being left unguarded. No warship has been dispatched since a frigate returned from the region in November, last year. Shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry branded the situation as...
