Mahmood to set out plan to deport grooming gang leader

Home Secretary to Propose Deportation Plan for Rochdale Grooming Gang Leader

Mahmood to set out plan to deport - Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will unveil legal measures on Monday aimed at deporting Shabir Ahmed, the former head of a Rochdale grooming gang. Ahmed, who received a 22-year sentence in 2012 for multiple child sexual abuse charges including rape, was recently released from prison under a licence. His British citizenship was revoked following conviction, leaving him with only Pakistani nationality.

Calls for Ahmed's deportation have gained traction across the political spectrum. Despite his criminal history, the 1971 Immigration Act currently blocks the removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK over 50 years ago. This law, which has been in place since 1971, complicates his case, as he has lived in the UK for more than a decade. The government has not yet specified how it will modify the law to allow his deportation.

Pakistan's Stance Remains Uncertain

While Ahmed claims to have renounced his Pakistani citizenship, the country has not formally confirmed whether it will accept him. Pakistan's authorities have not responded to inquiries, and the prime minister's office has deferred comments to the Foreign Office. Several senior ministers have also avoided addressing the issue, calling it a sensitive matter under active review at the highest levels of government.

Internally, however, multiple officials have indicated that Pakistan is "unlikely" to take Ahmed back. They argue that he left the country decades ago, surrendered his nationality, and is now considered a British citizen. This has led to speculation that the UK may need to assume responsibility for his return, as he is no longer a national of Pakistan.

"Back channel negotiations are underway, and these discussions reveal a tense diplomatic situation between the UK and Pakistan," said Dr. Farzana Shaikh, a Chatham House expert on South Asian affairs.

Political Pressure for Legal Reform

Conservative lawmakers are advocating for emergency legislation or amendments to the ongoing immigration bill to expedite Ahmed's deportation. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp suggested that if Pakistan refuses to accept him, the UK could impose visa restrictions on Pakistanis. "We could halt or limit visas for Pakistani nationals, and this approach could apply to any nation that fails to repatriate its criminal citizens," he stated during an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Victims of the grooming gang have urged caution against early release for sex offenders. Minister Catherine Atkinson, speaking on BBC Breakfast, emphasized the government's commitment to resolving the issue. "They are determined to get this done, and emergency legislation is a possibility," she noted. Atkinson also highlighted Mahmood's history of enforcing removals, citing instances where visa penalties were threatened to secure the return of illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, Ahmed remains under 24-hour supervision and is fitted with a GPS tracking device. If he violates his licence conditions, he could be rearrested. Survivors have expressed concerns, stating they feel "unsafe" with his release and "frightened" by the possibility of his continued presence in the UK.