The blunt rejection came just hours after Sir Keir said the Government had begun talks with unnamed countries about housing migrants awaiting deportation.

By Clare Nuttall in London The UK is working with Albania and other countries from the Western Balkans in an attempt to reduce illegal migration, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on May 15 during his first official visit to Albania.

The prime minister confirmed a plan to establish return hubs is in the works but would not say what countries he is talking to about hosting them.