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The UK is in talks with “a number of countries” about sending failed asylum seekers to return hubs in third countries, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The prime minister confirmed the plan at a press conference alongside his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama, in which the pair announced plans to strengthen cooperation on illegal migration.
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Sir Keir described the hubs as a “really important innovation” that complements other measures the government is taking to crack down on criminal smuggling gangs.
“We are in talks with a number of countries about return hubs,” he said.
“At the appropriate time, I’ll be able to give you further details in relation to it.”
Sir Keir did not say which countries he is in talks with, but the subject is understood not to be on the agenda for his meetings in Tirana on Thursday.
Mr Rama suggested he is not open to hosting UK detention centres, telling reporters: “We have been asked by several countries if we were open to it, and we said no, because we are loyal to the marriage with Italy and the rest is just love.”
The Italian scheme was intended to provide offshore processing for migrants, but that plan has been held up by legal action.
Keir Starmer attends a bilateral meeting with Edi Rama. Pic: PA
Following the press conference, Downing Street said the return hubs will target asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected and who are seeking to frustrate their deportation or have lost their paperwork.
By removing them to…
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