Efforts to Deport Convicted Grooming Gang Leader Underway
Government officials are actively exploring every possible avenue to deport Shabir Ahmed, the convicted leader of a Rochdale grooming gang. Ahmed was sentenced to 22 years in prison in August 2012, but victims were recently informed of his impending release on license. Compounding the distress, previous assurances regarding his deportation were reportedly contradicted by a 55-year-old law.
Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour Minister for Skills, affirmed the government's commitment, stating, "doing everything we can to get this guy out of the country."
Legal Challenges to Deportation
At the time of his conviction, Ahmed, now 73, held dual British and Pakistani citizenship. His British citizenship was revoked in court, with the expectation that he would be repatriated to Pakistan following his sentence. However, victims have been advised that the Immigration Act 1971 prohibits the deportation of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and have resided there for at least five years.
Labour MP Jim McMahon, whose constituency in Oldham was impacted by the abuse, highlighted that the 1971 Act was designed to safeguard Commonwealth citizens who sought a better life in the UK and contributed to the nation. He emphasized that the law was not intended to provide immunity for individuals convicted of such severe crimes. McMahon noted that the government aims to address this perceived loophole in the 1971 Act, but legal counsel is required to determine if any legislative changes could be applied retrospectively to facilitate Ahmed's deportation.
Andy Burnham, a prominent Labour figure, also expressed his desire for Ahmed's removal from the country, advocating for victims to be prioritized and urging the Home and Foreign Secretaries to consider all available options.
Victim Concerns and Official Responses
"Scared for my safety and my kids' safety."
A survivor, identified as 'Ruby,' expressed profound fear for her and her children's safety following the news of Ahmed's release. She voiced concerns about the potential for his continued influence in the community, even if he is not directly present in the areas where the abuse occurred.
Maggie Oliver, a former police detective who now campaigns on behalf of victims, has been supporting Ruby. Oliver recounted an incident where Ruby encountered another gang member, Adil Khan, in a supermarket in 2016, despite believing he was still incarcerated. Khan has since reportedly fled the country while under strict license conditions. Oliver highlighted the victims' ongoing fear that Ahmed might similarly evade scrutiny or that his associates could target them, expressing a sentiment that their concerns are not being adequately addressed by authorities.
The Home Office has confirmed that Ahmed will be subject to stringent license conditions upon his release, including electronic tagging to monitor his movements. Any breach of these conditions would result in his return to prison. Additionally, an exclusion zone, encompassing Rochdale and Oldham, will be in place to restrict his movements.
Source: Government 'looking at every route' to deport grooming leader
