Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday publicly challenged British politician Nigel Farage over his claim that “one in 50 Albanians in Britain are in prison,” dismissing it as false and inviting Farage to Albania for a fact-checking visit.
In a post on social media platform X, Rama responded to Farage’s comments made during a segment on GB News, calling the claim “bonkers” and “a classic from the post-truth Brexit playbook.”
“If your ‘one in 50’ claim holds water – I will personally commit to taking them all back,” Rama said, referring to Albanian nationals in British prisons. “But if your scary stat turns out to be just tabloid fuel… you’ll come to Albania – as my guest of honour.”
The Albanian leader argued that, even under the assumption that all Albanians currently in UK prisons are guilty, the rate of criminality would be no higher – and likely lower – than that of the British population.
Rama’s post included a public pledge and a challenge to compare statistics, stating that Farage would be warmly welcomed in Albania and encouraged to revise his views.
“You’ll get real sun, real hospitality, and even more real facts – about Albania and its fabulous people,” he wrote.