Key facts
- UK officials are in discussions with Pakistan regarding the deportation of grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed.
- Ahmed was convicted in 2012 for multiple rape and sexual offenses against girls as young as 12.
- He held dual British-Pakistani citizenship but was stripped of his UK passport.
- A 55-year-old law, the Immigration Act 1971, currently prevents his removal from the UK.
- The UK government is exploring legislative changes and diplomatic cooperation to facilitate deportation.
UK government officials are engaged in discussions with Pakistan concerning the potential deportation of Shabir Ahmed, a convicted ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang. Ahmed, who was released from prison this week after serving part of a 22-year sentence for offenses against minors, holds dual British-Pakistani citizenship. His UK passport was revoked following his 2012 conviction.
Victims of the gang were recently informed that Ahmed cannot be deported due to a 55-year-old provision in the Immigration Act 1971, which bars the removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and have resided there for five years. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has directed the Home Secretary to review the case and explore options for changing the law, a sentiment echoed by other political figures.
A spokesperson for the UK government stated that the issue has been raised with Pakistani counterparts and that efforts are underway to deport foreign national offenders. However, they acknowledged the complexity of the case, noting that deportation requires the agreement of the receiving country, which has historically been challenging. The government is considering amending the Immigration and Asylum Bill to overcome legislative hurdles, but securing Pakistan's cooperation remains a significant diplomatic challenge, as evidenced by past refusals to accept deportations of other gang members.
Ahmed, who arrived in the UK in the late 1960s, is currently under 24-hour surveillance in staffed accommodation and is wearing an electronic tag. Any breach of his license conditions would result in his return to prison. Victims have expressed fear and a lack of safety following his release. The grooming gang was responsible for offenses against as many as 50 girls, with a later report highlighting serious failures by police and local authorities in handling concerns raised prior to the convictions.