Albanian PM promises to take back UK prison inmates on 1 condition | Politics | News

The prime minister of Albania has promised to take back all his country’s criminals held in UK prisons on the condition that a claim about numbers made by Nigel Farage is true. Edi Rama laid down the gauntlet after the leader of Reform UK claimed one in 50 Albanians in Britain are behind bars.

Mr Farage’s blistering attack came after Mr Rama claimed that Britain is “in a very dark place” in response to UK Government plans to send failed asylum seekers to third countries after their applications have reached the end in this country.

Reform UK’s leader launched a scathing attack on Mr Rama, demanding Albania take back all its criminals locked up in the UK.

Mr Farage told GB News viewers the Albanian PM was slagging Britain off over Brexit by saying the UK is in a “dark place”.

The Clacton-on-Sea MP accused Mr Rama of hypocrisy after having spent months negotiating with the Italian government over plans for Albania to take migrants from Italy.

Reform’s leader then claimed: “I tell you what, Mr Rama, did you know one in 50 Albanians in Britain are in prison? So show some goodwill and take them all back tomorrow, because this is hypocrisy.”

Mr Rama responded to the challenge in a lengthy post on social media. He described it as an honour to earn the attention of the UK’s “unrivalled virtuoso” of “headline politics”.

He posted on X: “That ‘one in 50 Albanians are in prison’ claim? It’s not a fact. It’s bonkers. A classic from the post-truth Brexit playbook: ‘If it sounds scary, it must be true’.

“Guess what? When the numbers are actually run — surprise! — even if we assumed every Albanian currently in prison is guilty (and in fact, many are caught up in an outdated and restrictive visa system), the rate of criminality among Albanians in the UK would be no higher than — and likely lower than — that of the British population itself.”

Mr Rama said he would take back all Albanian convicts if Mr Farage’s numbers stacked up, but if they didn’t then Reform’s leader would be welcome to visit Albania as the prime minister’s guest of honour.

The Albanian PM added: “You’ll get real sun, real hospitality, and even more real facts — about Albania and its fabulous people.

“And all I ask in return is the simplest public pledge from you, made while enjoying our country: next time someone badmouths Albanians, you’ll be the first to tell them — in your histrionic way — not to do it again.”

Mr Farage has been approached for his response to the challenge via Reform UK.

Albania’s leader previously said that 10 years ago the idea Britain would be looking for places to “dump immigrants” was unimaginable, but since Brexit the “totally shameful” has been normalised.

Describing himself as a committed anglophile, the socialist prime minister told The Guardian newspaper that the level of public discourse in Britain was hard to acknowledge.

His comments came after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Albania, where he said talks were underway with a number of countries to set up “return hubs”.

Mr Rama left Sir Keir red-faced when he rebuked him in front of the media, telling his UK counterpart that Albania wouldn’t be taking part in such a scheme.