Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, describing him as "utterly incompetent" and "embarrassing for Britain" over his handling of the migrant crisis.
Speaking to GB News, Pochin expressed particular frustration over Starmer's visit to Albania, where he announced plans for a deportation hub only to be publicly rebuffed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
"How ridiculous. We look incompetent on the world stage," Pochin said.
Pochin argued that the government's immigration white paper lacks substance, particularly on the issue of returning illegal immigrants.
Sarah Pochin lashed out at Keir Starmer on GB News
GB NEWS / PA
"What we need in order to return these illegal immigrants and stop the endless appeals system is leave the ECHR. That's not in that white paper," she stated.
The Reform MP dismissed other measures as "waffle" and "nonsense", insisting that only by exiting the European Convention on Human Rights could the UK effectively deport migrants.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to British and Albanian troops about their involvement with training Ukrainian troops under Operation InterflexPA"Only Reform is going to do that," she added.
Pochin's criticism follows Starmer's first official visit to Albania, where he announced plans to begin talks with countries about hosting "return hubs" for failed asylum seekers.
However, at a joint press conference, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama explicitly rejected the proposal. "We have been asked by several countries if we are open to it and we said no because we are loyal to the marriage with Italy," Rama stated.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp described the outcome as turning the PM's trip into "an embarrassment".
Sarah Pochin joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
The number of people crossing the Channel has passed 12,000 since January, putting 2025 on course to be a record year.
During his Albania visit, Starmer pledged to "retake control" of the UK's borders, blaming the previous government for losing control.
"That means that we have got to have a concerted effort to smash the gangs that are running this vile trade," he said.
The government claims Albanian small boat arrivals have dropped by 95% over the past three years, with returns doubling in the last two.
Pochin claimed the public "aren't fools" and can see through Starmer's approach to immigration policy.
"He's sounding more Reform than Reform these days with some of his rhetoric and his party is split," she told GB News.
The Reform MP suggested Starmer is "floundering around not knowing which way to take this policy" and faces internal party divisions.
"It will be a real issue for them if they are not united. The public know he is grasping at straws, trying to keep up with Reform."
Pochin concluded her criticism by suggesting the government's approach to immigration would deteriorate further.
"This Government has shown this week that it's not going to get any better - it will get worse," she told GB News. The Reform MP said she was "almost speechless, which is rare for a politician" over the Albania deportation hub rejection.
Her comments come as Starmer announced the expansion of the Joint Migration Task Force to include North Macedonia, alongside plans to tackle what the government calls a "revolving door effect" of migrants returning home only to leave again.
