On Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to outline the legal pathway for deporting the recently released leader of a Rochdale grooming syndicate. Shabir Ahmed, who received a 22-year sentence in 2012 for multiple sexual offences against children, was released on licence earlier this month.
Pressure is mounting from various political factions to deport Ahmed, whose British citizenship was revoked following his conviction. However, a 1971 legal provision currently blocks the removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK prior to 1973, protecting Ahmed from deportation. Furthermore, there are indications that Pakistan may refuse to accept him, as he claims to have renounced his Pakistani nationality.
Following his release, Ahmed has been placed in 24-hour supervised housing and must wear a GPS tracking device. Government officials confirmed that any violation of his strict release conditions will result in his immediate return to custody. Many of his victims have expressed deep concern regarding his release, describing it as a source of fear and insecurity.
While the Conservative party is advocating for emergency legislation to expedite the process, the government is currently evaluating all possibilities, including discussions with Pakistani officials. The Home Secretary’s upcoming announcement follows growing demands from survivors of grooming gangs to ensure that sex offenders are not granted early release.