Nick Ferrari, the LBC radio presenter, has been widely praised after a tense on-air exchange with a listener regarding the Rochdale grooming gang scandal. The incident occurred during a discussion about Shabir Ahmed, 73, the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 12, who was released from prison last week.
Ferrari's Heated Response
Listener Malik claimed the victims were vulnerable due to care homes, broken families, and society discarding them. Ferrari interrupted, firmly rejecting this rationale. He stated: “No, no, no, nothing is an excuse for the behaviour that those girls endured. Nothing excuses that, whether they were from a care home or whether they were from a mansion. Nothing excuses the behaviour of that man. Don't try to find some kind of rationale. That is offensive! You’re close to a red card! That’s absolutely preposterous!”
Ferrari continued: “You would suggest that because these girls are vulnerable and they find themselves in care homes, society has failed them. Society has not failed them. These vile men who preyed on them, in some instances, girls as young as 12, giving them drugs and vodka, they are the ones to blame!”
Public Reaction
Listeners quickly praised Ferrari for his stance. One commented: “What an unbelievable take from Malik. Nick told him straight and was having absolutely none of it. Well done, Nick!” Another said: “Well done Nick, these bastards trying to dilute the horror of what actually took place and is probably still taking place.” A third added: “Good on you, Nick Ferrari. I am disgusted by what Malik had to say, odious.”
Official Statement
A No 10 spokeswoman addressed the case, stating: “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, and forced to wear an electronic tag.”
