Hundreds of migrants have so far returned to Albania under the "golden rule" agreement with the British government, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said.
Speaking to Skynews, he initially said that thousands of illegal immigrants were returning to Albania, before clarifying that hundreds had been placed on flights scheduled last December.
He said it was still "early" at the time and that "false last-minute claims" had prevented deportations, but said many others were in hotels or had fled.
Jenrick was asked how many people who arrived in small boats returned to Albania? - to which he replied that "thousands of Albanians are returning to Albania."
He was then asked whether this return also includes criminals, and not just those who arrived via the English Channel.
The Minister of Interior clarified: "Well, there are hundreds of Albanians who have arrived and have been placed on these flights."
Jenrick earlier described the deal as a “golden rule” agreement, which sees “thousands of illegal Albanian migrants returning to their homes and the number of crossings through that country significantly reduced.”
