Nigel Farage has been accused of "post-Brexit delusion" by Albania's Prime Minister in a furious new twist in the pair's growing war of words.
Just days ago, the Reform UK chief had demanded on GB News that PM Edi Rama "take all your criminals back" following damning research which found that as many as one in 50 Albanians in Britain are in prison.
Rama had then claimed Farage's figures were false, blasting: "It's not a fact. It's bonkers. A classic from the post-truth Brexit playbook."
The socialist Balkan leader had also cast doubt on Britain's prison and visa systems.
"When the numbers are actually run... The rate of criminality among Albanians in the UK would be no higher than - and likely lower than - that of the British population itself," Rama claimed.
Rama had then claimed Farage's figures were false
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Farage then blasted: "There are 53,000 Albanian citizens in the UK and 1,099 are in our prisons. That's actually one in 48.
"I will be asking the Home Secretary to organise for all of these prisoners to be sent back to you. Thank you for your cooperation."
But now, Rama has issued a lengthy retort to the Clacton MP.
"To err is human, but to persist in error is diabolical," he fumed.
"Instead of bothering the already busy Home Secretary, perhaps you should let me know when I can welcome you in Tirana, as my guest of honour.
"Because, dear Nigel, numbers are clearly not your forte and so let's be clear - YOU LOST."
MIGRANT CRIME FIGURES - READ MORE:
'Dear Nigel, numbers are clearly not your forte,' Rama jabbed
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Rama then turned his fire on The Telegraph, which conducted a damning analysis on migrant crime last October.
The newspaper had combined 2021 census data with Ministry of Justice figures showing there are 10,435 foreign nationals in jails in England and Wales, compared with 76,866 British nationals.
It found the Albanian imprisonment rate was 232.33 per 10,000 people - or one in 50, the figure which Farage pointed out.
Census data showed 68,672 foreign-born Albanians lived in the UK. Excluding the 15,860 without a UK passport left around 52,000. With 1,227 in jail, that equates to two per cent of Albanians.
Rama on Sunday claimed that the 2021 census of Albanians in Britain was "particularly laughable".
"You claim there are 53,000. In reality, the number is far higher - multiples of that".
The Albanian PM then pointed out how census data "does not take into account illegal migrants", including more than 12,000 who arrived via small boats in 2022.
He also warned that the true Albanian population in Britain "may be as high as 140,000", which - assuming none of that number are in jail - could water down the one in 50 figure.
Rama shared a photo of him and Nigel Farage on a beach
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In a veiled swipe at the Home Office, Rama added: "As for the prisoner figure, here's a more relevant question: how many of them are actually convicted for crimes unrelated to your outdated immigration and visa system?"
"Yes, numbers can be boring - but they're also stubborn. And when someone keeps getting them wrong, the real question is: Why persist? Because frankly, being diabolical seems beneath even your usual flair.
"Albanians in Britain are not a statistic to be twisted for post-Brexit political theatre, honourable Mr Farage.
"They are students, academics, builders, drivers, business owners, and partners. And if one in a thousand falls short, that does not turn the multitude into scapegoats for your national confusion.
"We've stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the UK Government in dramatically reducing illegal migration and cracking down on crime. The real numbers prove it and that's called cooperation. But 'one in 50 Albanians in UK prisons?' That's not a fact - that's called post-Brexit delusion.
"Looking forward to hosting you in Albania as promised, to share plenty of great sun, warm hospitality and real facts," he added, alongside an AI-generated image of the pair on a beach.
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