As UK government officials engage in delicate discussions with Pakistan over the potential deportation of Shabir Ahmed, a convicted leader of the Rochdale grooming gang, questions are being raised about the law that is currently preventing his removal. The 55-year-old Immigration Act 1971 bars the deportation of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and had resided here for five years, despite Ahmed's conviction in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against young girls.
Despite being stripped of his British passport following his conviction, Ahmed could not be deported to Pakistan due to this provision. The revelation has prompted renewed calls for the law to be amended, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer instructing the Home Secretary to review the case. This move acknowledges widespread demands for reform and is seen as a significant step towards addressing the complex issue of deportation policy.
A spokesperson for No 10 confirmed that the government has raised the matter with counterparts in Islamabad, stating a commitment to exploring 'all possible options' to deport foreign national offenders. They highlighted the complexity of the case, noting that securing agreement from the receiving country is often a significant hurdle, which has not always been achieved in similar situations. The implications of this case extend beyond the specific incident, suggesting potential wider ramifications for deportation policy.
Ahmed, who arrived in the UK in the late 1960s and held dual British and Pakistani citizenship at the time of his conviction, is now facing a renewed spotlight following his release from prison this week. His British citizenship was revoked post-imprisonment, with the expectation that he would be deported upon completing his sentence. The government is reportedly considering whether the 1971 law could be amended via the ongoing Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament.
However, even if legislative hurdles are overcome, the UK government faces a significant diplomatic challenge in persuading Pakistan to accept Ahmed's deportation. Previous attempts to deport two of his co-ringleaders, Qari Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan, were unsuccessful despite their British citizenship also being stripped in 2018. Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has suggested that the government should consider cutting foreign aid to Pakistan if it refuses to cooperate on Ahmed's return.
Ahmed was sentenced to 22 years in 2012 as one of nine men convicted in the Rochdale grooming gang trial, where police estimated that as many as 50 girls, many from vulnerable backgrounds, could have been victims. Victims have expressed profound fear and a sense of insecurity following Ahmed's release, despite him currently residing in 24-hour staffed accommodation and wearing a GPS electronic tag. The Home Office has stated that any breach of his strict licence conditions would result in immediate recall to prison.