KEIR'S ITALY TRIP 'FAR RIGHT' ROW

PM's interest in tough migrant policy sparks fury from inside party

- LIZZY BUCHAN

KEIR Starmer yesterday brushed aside criticism over his interest in Italy's tough immigration policies as he battled to end the small boats crisis.

The Prime Minister said Italy had made "remarkable progress" in driving down illegal migration to its shores by 60% last year as he had talks with hard-right Italian PM Giorgia Meloni in Rome.

But his enthusiasm sparked a backlash, with one Labour MP hitting out at Italy's "extreme far-right government".

The Italian government has brokered a deal to send asylum seekers to Albania for application processing.