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

Keir Starmer became the first British prime minister to visit Albania since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1921. During the visit, he announced that the UK plans to set up “return hubs” for asylum seekers whose claims are rejected by the UK.

The fallout from Albania's rejection of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's migrant deal dominated Friday's papers.

Lee Anderson has shredded Sir Keir Starmer over the PM's attempt to send illegal migrants to Albania. The Reform UK MP took to X to savage the Labour leader, who earlier today told reporters he was in talks with a number of countries about "return hubs", before Albania's Prime Minister ruled out his country as a possible destination.

The prime minister has been accused of coming up with a "knock off" version of the last government's notorious Rwanda scheme.

Keir Starmer meets with Ursula Von der Leyen in Albania in 11th hour Brexit reset talks Source: PA Angelina Jolie, the godmother of the Trophée Chopard Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, made a stunning debut on the red carpet. See photos.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was left floundering when she was asked live on-air whether Keir Starmer should be embarrassed by Albania's refusal to house failed UK asylum seekers. The Prime Minister was on a trip to the Balkan state this week when his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama publicly ruled out hosting so called "return hubs" - leaving many with the impression that Sir Keir's plan to woo the leader had gone badly wrong.

Ministers are eyeing a controversial plan to send failed asylum seekers to overseas detention centres, with Keir Starmer currently in Albania for talks on 'return hubs'. The proposals have already sparked a backlash - what do you think?

Starmer to announce new crackdown on people smugglers on visit to Albania - The visit marks another attempt by Sir Keir to get a grip on the agenda and bring the fight to Reform UK