The UK and 45 other European countries have signed an agreement that explicitly endorses plans to send unwanted asylum seekers to third country hubs.

A political declaration from the 46 members of the Council of Europe , the body that oversees the European convention on human rights (ECHR), said states had an “undeniable sovereign right” to control their borders.

It is understood that the UK is now seeking a deal with an unnamed third country, similar to the Italy-Albania agreement that allowed Rome to place detention centres in Albania.

In that deal, the hubs were initially intended for asylum seekers from countries considered safe while their applications were processed.…