ITALY’S far-right League party announced today that NGO migrant rescue ships that enter its territorial waters without permission could now be fined up to €1 million (£898,770). 

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini originally introduced fines for NGO ships that pick up migrants in the Mediterranean in June as part of a security Bill while he was desperately trying to keep German charity Sea Watch from landing 40 refugees in Italy. 

The League introduced the amendments to the legislation today while Carola Rackete, captain of the Sea Watch 3 — who, after a 17-day standoff, defied Mr Salvini and disembarked the migrants on the island of Lampedusa — was being questioned by Italian prosecutors for what they describe as aiding illegal immigration.