Shabir Ahmed, the notorious ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, has been released from prison and is now free to walk British streets. The 73-year-old convicted paedophile, who was sentenced in 2012 for 30 counts of rape and sexual offences against young girls, cannot be deported from the UK despite having his British citizenship revoked.
Release Details and Taxpayer Costs
Ahmed, known to his victims as "Daddy," was released from HMP Leeds on Thursday morning. A taxi collected a prisoner from the prison, flanked by two officers with a cover over the inmate's head. The taxi later returned without the prisoner, still occupied by the two officers. The Express understands that Ahmed's victims have been informed of his release and that he is now at secure accommodation. The bail hostel where he will stay is believed to cost taxpayers £120 per night.
Legal Barriers to Deportation
Ahmed held dual British-Pakistani citizenship, but his British citizenship was stripped after his conviction. However, the UK government cannot deport him due to the 1971 Immigration Act. A No 10 spokeswoman stated: "Ahmed's horrific crimes were at the heart of the grooming gangs scandal that represents one of the darkest moments in our country's history. He will rightly be on the sex offenders register for life, ordered to stay away from his victims and banned from contacting any child or young person. His every movement will be tracked, forced to wear an electronic tag and, on this specific case, we cannot deport someone who is protected by the 1971 Immigration Act. These were the same provisions which have protected many individuals caught up in the Windrush crisis."
Exclusion Zone and Supervision
Ahmed must initially live in supervised accommodation 24/7 and will be subject to an "exclusion zone" centred on Rochdale. The Ministry of Justice declined to confirm specific details of his release, citing "security concerns." Downing Street indicated that the government has no plans to change the 1971 Immigration Act, despite calls for deportation. When asked about Baroness Jacqui Smith's comments that ministers were looking at "every route" to remove Ahmed, the spokeswoman said: "We have looked at every route and this is the position."
