Greater Manchester Mayor Calls for Action on Grooming Gang Ringleader
Andy Burnham has stated his intention to request that the home and foreign secretaries explore all available avenues for the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, a key figure in the notorious Rochdale grooming gang. Ahmed is scheduled for release from incarceration this week, having been convicted in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual offenses against young girls. He held dual British-Pakistani citizenship, with his British citizenship being revoked following his conviction.
The Home Office has confirmed that it is collaborating with other government departments to examine potential solutions in this case. Burnham, who is widely anticipated to become prime minister later this month, emphasized his desire for Ahmed to be removed from the United Kingdom. However, documents reportedly from the Probation Service and circulated online suggest that Ahmed cannot be deported to Pakistan due to existing legal provisions that prevent his removal.
Victims Express Fear Ahead of Release
Victims of Ahmed's crimes have voiced concerns for their safety in anticipation of his impending release from prison. In a post on X, Burnham articulated his stance, stating, "Like everyone, I want this vile criminal out of the country. Victims must come first. I will ask the home and foreign secretaries to review all possible options - and they should consider nothing is off the table."
A Home Office spokesperson responded, "We are committed to doing everything possible to deport FNOs [foreign national offenders] and are clear they should have no place in this country." The spokesperson acknowledged challenges, adding, "As previous governments have found, this necessarily involves the agreement of the receiving country, which has not always been possible. But we are currently working with colleagues across government to explore all possible options in this case."
Legal Hurdles and Past Statements
Justice Minister Jake Richards commented earlier on the BBC's Politics Live about long-standing difficulties in deporting foreign national offenders to Pakistan. He noted, "We need to try and work on that and see whether it's possible, but in this case, it seems unlikely." When questioned about changing the law to facilitate Ahmed's deportation, Richards expressed skepticism, stating, "I think it's very difficult to change the law to look retrospectively." Nevertheless, he affirmed a focus on Ahmed, particularly ensuring victim safety and community protection upon his release.
In 2022, during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham had previously urged the Conservative government to utilize all its powers to deport members of grooming gangs.
Victim Impact and Release Conditions
One victim, identified as "Ruby" and supported by The Maggie Oliver Foundation, expressed her fears: "I'm scared for my safety and my kids' safety. The main ringleader is getting out of prison, who is well known in Rochdale, Oldham and Middleton, so even if he's not in that area, he still knows people and has a chance to talk to people from that area and that makes me unsafe." Maggie Oliver, the foundation's founder, conveyed Ruby's sentiment that she feels like "an afterthought."
The Home Office has previously described Ahmed's offenses as "appalling" and confirmed that he will be subject to stringent license conditions upon his release. Initially, Ahmed will reside in supervised accommodation 24/7 and will be subject to an "exclusion zone" centered on Rochdale.
The online documents reportedly indicate that Ahmed's deportation to Pakistan is barred under the Immigration Act 1971. This is due to provisions stating that if an individual arrived in the UK before 1973 and resided there for at least five years before deportation was considered, their removal is prevented.
Ahmed received a 19-year sentence in 2012 at Liverpool Crown Court, as one of nine men convicted in the Rochdale grooming gang trial for crimes against five girls. Police at the time estimated that as many as 50 girls, many from "chaotic" and "council estate" backgrounds, could have been victims. Judge Gerald Clifton highlighted that victims were treated "as though they were worthless and beyond any respect." A subsequent report revealed "serious multiple failures" by police and local authorities who had not acted on multiple concerns raised.
Source: Burnham calls for grooming gang ringleader to be deported
