Release of Shabir Ahmed Sparks Outrage
Shabir Ahmed, the 73-year-old convicted ringleader of a grooming gang that targeted vulnerable girls in Rochdale, Lancashire, was released from prison on July 2, 2026. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) refused to confirm his release, citing security concerns, leaving journalists and victims to piece together the truth.
Ahmed was jailed in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, receiving a 22-year sentence. He served just 14 years before being freed. His release occurred amid the final days of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's tenure, adding to the political fallout.
Victims Forced to Reveal Release
Survivors of Ahmed's crimes were left to inform the press of his release after the MoJ remained silent. Journalists gathered outside HMP Leeds, where Ahmed was initially imprisoned, on July 2, following tips of his freedom. A taxi driver confirmed picking up a prisoner, and two subsequent cabs left the prison with inmates, but the MoJ refused to confirm if Ahmed was among them.
Campaigner Maggie Oliver, a vocal advocate for grooming gang survivors, revealed that victims had been told Ahmed was already released and placed in secure accommodation. She stated, “Survivors feel unimportant, powerless, and afterthought and ‘managed’, not cared for. The whole system protects and supports the abusers whilst victims can’t even access any therapy. It’s actually inhumane in the extreme.”
Political and Legal Fallout
The release comes as Andy Burnham, the newly elected Prime Minister, called for all possible options to deport Ahmed. However, Ahmed, who had his British citizenship revoked while in prison, cannot be deported to Pakistan due to a 55-year-old law barring deportation to Commonwealth countries based on his arrival year in the UK.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the situation on X, stating, “If Andy Burnham wants to show he means what he says, he should instruct Labour MPs to support our amendment. We need to make sure this vile individual never walks our streets again.”
Ahmed was described by a judge as a “violent hypocritical bully” and had previously appealed his deportation to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming his conviction was a way to “scapegoat” Muslims.
Broader Context of Grooming Gangs
Ahmed's case was one of the most high-profile instances of grooming gangs in the UK, with predominantly Pakistani-heritage men targeting vulnerable white girls. The Labour Party has faced accusations of delaying a full inquiry into the scale of such abuse across the country.
Under the terms of his license, Ahmed is barred from entering Rochdale, where he committed his crimes. The MoJ has been contacted for comment but has not provided further details.
