Andy Burnham, the incoming Labour leader and expected prime minister, has pledged to explore all avenues to deport Shabir Ahmed, a convicted Rochdale grooming gang leader who is due for release from prison. Ahmed, 73, was sentenced in 2012 to 22 years for multiple child sexual offences involving girls as young as 13. Despite having his British citizenship revoked, current legal provisions prevent his deportation to Pakistan, his country of birth.
Ahmed, nicknamed "Daddy," was convicted of orchestrating abuse against up to 50 victims as part of a grooming gang operating in Rochdale. He is to be released on licence but is subject to conditions including a prohibition on entering Rochdale, with the possibility of recall to prison for violations.
The government recently acknowledged that under the Immigration Act 1971, Ahmed cannot be deported because he arrived in the UK prior to 1973 and resided in the country for more than five years before deportation proceedings could be considered. A letter reportedly from the probation service notified victims of this legal barrier, contradicting earlier assurances that Ahmed would be removed from the country.
Burnham stated his determination to prioritize victims’ welfare, asserting that “nothing is off the table” in reviewing options to prevent Ahmed from remaining in the UK. He indicated he would urge the home and foreign secretaries to consider all possibilities once he assumes office on July 20.
The father of a key prosecution witness, known in court as Girl A, has called on Burnham to address what he termed a “statute of limitations” preventing deportation. He emphasized that calls for Ahmed’s removal are not rooted in racism but arise from concerns over public safety, especially since Ahmed could potentially encounter victims like his daughter, who was groomed and abused from the age of 12 and has faced ongoing trauma.
Alex Davies-Jones, the former government minister for victims, condemned the prospect of Ahmed’s return to the community as “horrific,” urging authorities to act in alignment with victims’ interests. Claire Waxman, the victims’ commissioner, highlighted the additional trauma caused by inconsistent information provided to victims regarding Ahmed’s deportation, calling for more transparent communication to maintain trust in the justice system.
One of Ahmed’s victims expressed fear for her own and her children's safety following his impending release. A Home Office spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to exploring all legal avenues for deporting foreign national offenders but noted such efforts depend on cooperation from the receiving country, which has not always been forthcoming. Officials affirmed ongoing interdepartmental work to identify potential options in this case.