Pakistan is not expected to accept the return of convicted Rochdale grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed after his release from prison, it is understood. The apparent impasse comes despite government plans to change the law in a bid to deport him from the UK.
Government Plans to Amend Deportation Laws
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to unveil proposals on Monday to amend legislation dating back to 1971 that currently prevents Ahmed's removal. The 1971 law forbids the deportation of a small group of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than 50 years ago. Ahmed was released on July 2 after serving 14 years following his 2012 conviction for rape and sexual offences against girls, some as young as 12. He had originally been jailed for 19 years.
The government has been examining ways to deport him since his release last week. Ms Mahmood is expected to detail a way to close the loophole in the Immigration Act which prevents his deportation even though he has already been stripped of his British citizenship.
Pakistan's Demands
But Pakistan is not expected to accept Ahmed, the Express understands. The country is demanding the extradition of two political dissidents from the UK in order to do so, The Times first reported. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman declined to comment on “speculation about specific proposals”.
“We are exploring every available option in this case, and that includes talking to the Pakistani authorities,” the official told reporters on Thursday. “But as we’ve set out previously, this is a complex case with both domestic and international implications.”
Challenges in Deportation
A Home Office minister indicated earlier this week that the government could consider emergency legislation. Alex Norris said “all options are on the table” as the Conservatives urged him to adopt an amendment to the Bill put forward by the shadow Home Secretary. Ahmed is currently exempt from deportation but Mr Norris said the government would not give up in its efforts to deport him due to his “heinous” crimes.
It is not clear whether Ms Mahmood’s planned changes will come under separate fast-tracked legislation or as an amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is due to be debated in the Commons on Monday. The prime minister's spokesman added: “Any removal requires co-operation from another country to accept an individual back. Previous governments have experienced similar challenges in other grooming gang cases.”
