Albanian Prime Minister Accuses Shabana Mahmood Of 'Echoing Far Right' In Asylum Crackdown

Edi Rama with Keir Starmer.Albania’s prime minister has accused Shabana Mahmood of “echoing the rhetoric of the populist far-right” to promote her illegal immigration crackdown.The home secretary highlighted the fact that 700 Albanian families are “living in taxpayer-funded accommodation having failed their asylum claims” as she announced new rules to speed up deportations.But posting on X, Albanian PM Edi Rama said: “How can a Labour home secretary so poorly echo the rhetoric of the populist far-right – and single out 700 Albanian families, a statistical drop in the ocean of post-Brexit Britain’s challenges – precisely at a moment when the UK and Albania have built one of Europe’s most successful partnerships on illegal migration?“Let me remind the home secretary that, thanks to intensive joint work since late 2022, irregular arrivals from Albania to the UK have almost disappeared.”He insisted Albanians are “net contributors to the British economy, and the number of Albanians receiving UK benefits is very low relative to other communities”.“To single them out again and again is not policy – it is a troubling and indecent exercise in demagoguery,” he said.“Albania is, and intends to remain, one of the UK’s most active allies in broader migration control across the Balkans.“The UK should be seeking ways to deepen cooperation with Albania on all security issues – from defence to border protection – rather than repeatedly scapegoating Albanians and thereby exposing citizens of an allied nation to increased risks, including from extremist groups that thrive on such narratives.“Official policy should never be driven by ethnic stereotyping. That is the very least humanity expects from the great Great Britain.”Quite disappointing to hear the UK Home Secretary, @ShabanaMahmood, cite “around 700 Albanian families” living in taxpayer-funded accommodation after failed asylum claims as justification for resuming family returns.How can a Labour Home Secretary so poorly echo the rhetoric of…— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) November 19, 2025Related...Labour Splits Erupt As MPs Condemn Shabana Mahmood's Immigration CrackdownZack Polanski: 'Labour Has Lost Its Soul On Immigration, Their Silent MPs Should Be Ashamed'Labour Peer Who Fled The Nazis Condemns His Party's Immigration Crackdown

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