Military historians claim that the second Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands was “covered up” by Tony Blair’s government

Years after the 1982 war, Argentine forces landed in the Falklands – but Tony Blair’s government has hushed it up, military historians claim.

It is believed to have been kept silent “to preserve the peace”.

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Rumors began after a rubber dinghy containing Argentine military equipment was found partially buried on a beach near the island’s capital, Stanley, in December 2001.

It was quickly removed by British soldiers and an information blackout was imposed.

Falkland Islands-born historian Graham Bound believes it was “clearly covered up by the British government”.

He added: “They were very busy at the time fixing ties with Argentina.”

The Foreign Office’s response to a Freedom of Information request from Graham did not deny the discovery of the boat.

It read: “The passage of time has the sensibility of [sovereignty] Output. Disclosure can damage relationships.”

Historian Ricky D. Phillips said he did not believe it was an invasion attempt.

He said: “It was deliberately probing and testing defenses with a force in the Falkland Islands and the Blair government deliberately covered it up to keep the peace. The price now is Antarctica.”

The Foreign Office said: “We will defend the right to self-determination for residents of the Falkland Islands and for all people to choose their own future.”

The Tony Blair Institute declined to comment.