Starmer and Meloni plot overhaul of Europe-wide police force to tackle illegal migration

Ms Meloni struck up a close working relationship with Rishi Sunak, Mr Starmer’s predecessor. As prime minister, Mr Sunak and Ms Meloni attempted to push the need for a tougher, joint stance on migration among European leaders.

Sir Keir and Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, visited Europol, which is based in The Hague, last September for talks on tackling the gangs behind people smuggling. Britain is no longer a member of the agency, having left the EU, but does work in partnership with it.

Ms Cooper has already announced a 50 per cent increase in the number of officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency that would be seconded to Europol. She also talked to Catherine De Bolle, the executive director of Europol, shortly after entering the Home Office, in a sign of the importance being placed on working with Europol.

Sir Keir is seeking to “reset” the UK’s wider relationship with the EU, and any agreement on a new mandate for Europol is likely to need the support of a majority of EU member states.

Europol, which has more than 1,400 staff, cannot instigate investigations but instead supports those launched by EU member states. It also cannot arrest EU citizens.

Since Britain left the EU, there has been a debate about how much Europol data the UK should be able to access.