Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced that the Government will amend the Immigration and Asylum Bill to facilitate the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the leader of the Rochdale grooming gang. The proposed change would remove immunity under Section 7 of the 1971 Immigration Act, which currently protects long-term Commonwealth residents from deportation.
Details of the Amendment
Ms Mahmood stated in the Commons on Monday that the amendment would provide the Home Secretary with a new power to disapply Section 7 for serious criminals, including terrorists, human traffickers, and other violent offenders. The threshold for this power would be tied to the ability to deprive citizenship, which applies only in cases of exceptional severity. However, she acknowledged that deportation cannot proceed without Pakistan's agreement to accept Ahmed.
Background on Shabir Ahmed
Ahmed was released on July 2 after serving 14 years of a 19-year sentence for rape and sexual offences against girls as young as 12. He was convicted in 2012. Since his release, the Government has been exploring legal avenues to deport him. The 1971 Act forbids removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK over 50 years ago.
Government and Opposition Reactions
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp expressed support for the amendment but urged the Government to consider emergency legislation instead of waiting for the full Bill to pass. He stated, "There's not a moment to lose and this can quite quickly be fixed." The Prime Minister's official spokesman noted that changing the law is only the first step, as Pakistan must agree to take Ahmed back. The spokesman added that all options, including visa restrictions, remain on the table for countries that do not cooperate.
Potential Visa Restrictions
Victims' Minister Catherine Atkinson highlighted the success of similar threats, referencing visa penalties imposed on Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which led to cooperation within four months. However, Pakistan is not expected to accept Ahmed, reportedly demanding the extradition of two political dissidents from the UK in return.
