Key facts
- Shabir Ahmed, convicted ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang, is set for release from prison.
- Ahmed was stripped of his British citizenship following his 2012 conviction for offenses against girls.
- Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is calling for his deportation, asking ministers to review all options.
- Legal barriers under the Immigration Act 1971 reportedly prevent Ahmed's deportation to Pakistan.
- Victims have voiced fears for their safety due to Ahmed's impending release.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has called for the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang, who is due to be released from prison this week. Ahmed, convicted in 2012 for multiple rape and sexual offenses against girls as young as 12, had his British citizenship revoked following his conviction.
Burnham stated he would ask the Home and Foreign Secretaries to review all possible options for Ahmed's removal from the country, emphasizing that victims must come first. However, documents reportedly from the Probation Service indicate that Ahmed cannot be deported to Pakistan due to provisions in the Immigration Act 1971, which bars the removal of individuals who arrived in the UK before 1973 and have lived there for at least five years.
Justice Minister Jake Richards acknowledged long-standing issues with deporting foreign national offenders to Pakistan, suggesting that deportation in this case seemed unlikely. He also noted the difficulty of changing laws retrospectively but assured that measures were being taken to protect victims and the community upon Ahmed's release.
Victims, including one identified as "Ruby" and supported by The Maggie Oliver Foundation, have expressed significant fear for their safety. The Home Office has committed to exploring all avenues for deportation, acknowledging the challenges related to the receiving country's agreement. Upon release, Ahmed will be subject to stringent license conditions, including 24/7 supervised accommodation and an exclusion zone centered on Rochdale.