- Shabir Ahmed, the leader of the Rochdale grooming gang, is set to be released from prison this week, which has been described as ‘really scary’ by whistleblower Sara Rowbotham due to concerns over his lack of remorse and the weaknesses in the probation system.
- Andy Burnham has publicly called for Ahmed's deportation, stating he will ask the home and foreign secretaries to ‘review all possible options’ to remove the ringleader of the notorious grooming gang from the UK.
- The Home Office is reportedly exploring every possible route to deport Ahmed, who has been convicted of multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against minors.
- Labour MPs are demanding that the law be changed to allow foreign-born child rapists like Ahmed to be deported, as he is currently protected by a loophole in the Immigration Act 1971.
- Ahmed, now 73, was jailed for 19 years in 2012 after being convicted of 30 child rape charges involving girls as young as 13, and his victims were previously informed he would be deported after serving his sentence.
- Despite being stripped of his British citizenship, Ahmed cannot be deported back to Pakistan due to provisions under the Immigration Act 1971, which protects Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973.
- Concerns have been raised that even if the law is changed, Pakistan may resist accepting Ahmed back, complicating efforts for his deportation.
Shabir Ahmed, the notorious leader of the Rochdale grooming gang, is set to be released from prison, raising significant concerns among local communities.12
Ahmed, who was convicted of 30 child rape charges involving girls as young as 13, has been described as a 'vile criminal' by local leaders.67
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has expressed his intention to push for Ahmed's deportation, stating, "Victims must come first."
The Home Office has acknowledged the challenges in deporting Ahmed due to provisions in the Immigration Act 1971, which protects Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973.48
Ahmed's release has been labeled 'really scary' by Maggie Oliver, a whistleblower who exposed the grooming ring, highlighting the inadequacies of the probation system in monitoring offenders.
Victims like 'Ruby' have voiced their fears, stating, "I'm scared for my safety and my kids' safety."
Despite the Home Office's commitment to stringent monitoring conditions, including an electronic tag, local officials remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.
Jim McMahon, a Labour MP, emphasized the need for legal reforms to prevent child rapists from exploiting loopholes in immigration laws.
As the community grapples with the implications of Ahmed's release, calls for action to protect vulnerable individuals continue to grow.
“The release of Shabir Ahmed, leader of the Rochdale grooming gang, raises significant fears among local women. Andy Burnham and Labour MPs are demanding action to deport him, citing the need for public safety.”
The Guardian
BBC
