OFFICIALS from Guyana have refused to comment on a report that Gavin Williamson has plans for Britain to open a military base in the South American country after Brexit.

After the hawkish Defence Secretary boasted a few weeks ago of his ambition to establish a military presence in the Far East and the Caribbean, the Sunday Telegraph hinted that the latter base could be in Guyana.

The former British colony is rapidly acquiring geopolitical significance, with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt brazenly supporting a right-wing coup attempt in neighbouring Venezuela.

Over the last few weeks, the Star has repeatedly sought answers froom Guyana’s Foreign Ministry on whether it will host a British military facility, but no response has been received.

A function at Guyana’s embassy in London, where diplomats threw their doors open to tell investors about Guyana’s newly discovered oilfields, took place on Thursday night.

British companies Tullow Oil and Stena Drilling are involved in offshore exploration, along with US giant Exxon and others.

Speaking to the event, dubbed Oil Dorado, via Skype, Guyana’s energy department head Dr Mark Bynoe said Guyana was “open for business” and could become one of the world’s top 10 oil producers.

However, he  dodged a question about whether a British military base was on the horizon, saying he “could not answer” any queries about what Mr Williamson wanted to do in Guyana.

Mr Bynoe also appeared rattled by questions about the country’s border dispute with Venezuela, which recently saw the Venezuelan navy challenge an Exxon survey ship.

British ambassador to Guyana Greg Quinn has tried to play down suggestions of a new military base there, telling local journalists: “There’s been no specific request to me to look into the possibility about a base here in Guyana.”

He added: “I think the Secretary of Defence was very clear when he talked about increasing Britain’s footprint.

“As we leave the European Union in particular, we need to project a sort of confident and clear British presence…

“We have had a ship stationed in the Caribbean for a long time doing hurricane relief in particular.

“I think this is part of this broader UK demonstration that we are a global player and we are determined to remain a global player going forward.”

Britain already has a jungle warfare training camp in Belize and recently extended its lease there.