RESEARCH by an Essex University politics expert has revealed most Brits back the vast majority of Falkland Islanders who want to retain their nationality.

A poll of residents living in the south Atlantic islands saw 1,513 of the 1,517 of voters opt to remain an “Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom”.

The vote was welcomed yesterday by Prime Minister David Cameron but dismissed as illegal and “pointless” by Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, whose country still claims the Falklands.

Separately, a survey by Dr Thomas Scotto of Essex University, and Dr Jason Reifler, from Georgia State University, found only one in five Brits want the government to open negotiations with the Argentines over the land.

Last month, 2,014 people were polled for their views on the statement: “Britain must be ready to negotiate with Argentina over the eventual handover of the Falkland Islands”.

In total, 50 per cent disagreed, while 21 per cent agreed.