GREENPEACE has called off its 48-day occupation of the remote island of Rockall after Britain gave up its territorial rights to surrounding Atlantic waters.

The Government sparked disbelief in the oil industry yesterday when it confirmed it was renouncing any claim to 60,000 square miles of sea - and billions of pounds worth of oil and gas beneath it.

Labour is falling into line with a UN treaty ruling out any rights to waters around uninhabited islands.

"We achieved what we came for," said Jon Castle of the MV Greenpeace which has had a landing party on Rockall, 200 miles out to sea, since June lO.

"We occupied Rockall longer than anyone else and exposed the absurd fragility of the UK's claim to the rock and it's seas."