AS the latest “rescue ship” packed full of African migrants docked in the Spanish city of Valencia this week, hundreds of charity workers stood on the harbour and applauded. Well intentioned they may be, but by putting out the welcome bunting in this way they are naively fanning the flames of an escalating migrant crisis that is damaging Europe both sociologically and politically. In Italy — which, along with Malta, turned the ship away — the new “hardline” interior minister, Matteo Salvini, has promised the mass expulsion of illegal immigrants, pointing out that his country lacks homes and jobs for its existing population: “Let alone for half the African continent.” He adds: “Some idiots think I want people to die at sea. They haven’t understood a thing. “There is only one way to save these lives: Fewer people leaving, more repatriations. Life is sacred and to preserve it we must ensure that people don’t go to sea in dangerous tubs.” Quite. Which is why rescuing then delivering the migrants to European shores is aiding and abetting the unscrupulous people smugglers who charge exorbitant amounts for a place in small, poorly maintained dinghies that they know full well won’t make the…