"One in 50 Albanians are in prison", Rama challenges Farage: Try it and I'll take them all

Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to British MP Nigel Farage, leader of the "Reform" party in Great Britain, who called the Albanian prime minister a hypocrite, after his words that Britain is looking for a trash can to throw immigrants into.

Also, Farage mentioned to Edi Rama the fact that Albanian immigrants in Britain are key players in criminality, claiming that 1 in 50 Albanians in British territory are in prison.

Through a post, Rama claims that the British MP's figure is inflated, challenging him that if the statement is true, he will take all Albanians imprisoned in Britain back.

Full post:

Ooopsss… Mr. Nigel Farage has just challenged me on the facts!

What an honor — for a “giant man,” as he described me (meaning, of course, from a “small country”) — to catch the attention of British politics’ undisputed virtuoso of bombastic headlines.

He said — and I'm quoting him verbatim:

"Here's what I'm saying, Mr. Rama, did you know that one in every 50 Albanians in Britain is in prison? So, show some goodwill and take everyone back tomorrow, because this is hypocrisy."

Well, Mr. Farage — let me return the challenge with something extremely boring for your style: real numbers.

What you said, that “one in 50 Albanians in prison” — it’s not a fact. It’s absurd. A classic post-Brexit recipe of “post-truth”: “If it sounds scary, it must be true.”

You know what you get when you actually check the numbers? Surprise! Even if we were to assume that every Albanian currently in prison in the UK is actually guilty (although many of them are simply victims of an outdated and restrictive visa system), the crime rate among Albanians in the UK is no higher than that of the British population itself — on the contrary, perhaps even lower.

Now, since we both seem to value "goodwill" and are sensitive to "hypocrisy," here's what I propose:

Let's bring both of our numbers to the table. If your "one in 50" claim turns out to be accurate — I, personally, commit to taking them all back. It's not a competitive title — it's a public commitment.

But if that frightening statistic turns out to be just tabloid fuel — no need for apologies. No need for drama. You'll just come to Albania — as my guest of honor.

You will experience real sunshine, real hospitality, and, most importantly, real facts — about Albania and its wonderful people. And the only thing I will ask of you is a simple public commitment on your part, made while you enjoy our country: that the next time someone slanders Albanians, you will be the first to tell them in your own dramatic style: “Stop doing it!”

So what do you say? A fact check in exchange for a total deportation — or a full vacation, with some of the warmest people you'll ever meet. Come on, Nigel. Even if you lose on the facts, you'll gain a whole nation of friends forever.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.