PM open to sending migrants to Albania

SIR Keir Starmer has admitted that he is open to sending migrants to Albania to have their asylum claims processed.

- Michael Knowles

Before travelling to Rome today to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the PM revealed he could copy Italy’s deal to assess applications in Tirana. Illegal migration will be one of the key topics for the two leaders, as Sir Keir continues his diplomatic blitz to reset relations with Europe.

Arrivals in Italy have fallen by 62 per cent after Ms Meloni launched a crackdown on migrants crossing the Mediterranean.

She has struck deals with Libya and Tunisia to stop boats leaving northern Africa and controversially banned charity ships from picking up asylum seekers from more than one boat at a time.

Sir Keir said ahead of the meeting: “We’ll be able to talk about irregular migration, and other things as well.