it’s governed by international law.

“Our presence in the Mediterranean is reflective of a failure of European countries to do the rescue work.”

In previous years, the onset of winter weather has caused a sharp decline in the number of boats sent by smugglers into the Central Mediterranean, now the deadliest sea passage in the world.

But although crossings to Greece have slowed to a trickle as migrants are detained under the threat of deportation, the number arriving in Italy has exploded.

More than 27,000 asylum seekers were rescued and taken ashore in October, compared to under 9,000 in the same month of 2015, while the figure in November was 13,400 – an increase of 10,000 on the year before.

Boats have shown no sign of stopping in December, with up to 800unwilling to take the blame for a disorderly divorce.

Early election

After expelling 21 of his Conservative MPs who rebelled over the Brexit law last week, Johnson no longer has a majority in the 650-seat House of Commons.

This leaves him in an impossible situation, unable to govern, and an election is seen as almost inevitable.

But the timing remains in question.

Johnson had wanted an election on October 15, hoping he would win enough seats in the Commons to force through his Brexit plan.

But the main opposition Labour party said it would only back an election once “no-deal” was off the table.

Two-thirds of MPs must support an early election, but Parliament is now suspended until Oct. 14.

Talk is now turning to a November poll.

No Brexit at all?

If Johnson wins a subsequent election,