The UK Government is exploring changes to immigration law in a bid to deport convicted Rochdale grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed, after ministers admitted existing legislation is preventing his removal from the country. Home Office minister Alex Norris told the House of Commons that 'all options are on the table' as Labour examines emergency legislation to address the case.
Ahmed released from prison but remains in UK
Ahmed, 73, was released from prison last week after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for 30 child rape offences. Although he has been stripped of his British citizenship, he remains in the UK because of legal protections contained in the Immigration Act 1971. The legislation prevents the deportation of certain Commonwealth citizens who arrived in Britain before 1973 and have lived in the country for at least five years.
Speaking in Parliament, Norris acknowledged the seriousness of the case and said ministers were determined to find a solution. 'The fact that [his deportation] has not so far been possible with an individual responsible for such heinous crimes as Shabir Ahmed is unacceptable,' he told MPs. 'I can assure the House that we have not given up, and we will not.'
Government explores all options
Norris signalled he was prepared to examine Conservative proposals to repeal sections of the Immigration Act 1971 that currently shield some Commonwealth citizens from deportation. The Opposition has also suggested changes to the UK Borders Act 2007, which would allow Ahmed to be treated in the same way as other foreign nationals who automatically face deportation after receiving a prison sentence of at least one year.
Conservative MP Robbie Moore urged ministers to act without delay. 'The minister has the ability to bring through emergency legislation, which I am sure will get the backing of all sides of this House, to ensure that Shabir Ahmed is deported,' he said. 'When will the minister be bringing forward this legislation, so that we in this House can vote on it, and make sure that this individual that has caused heinous crimes across Rochdale is deported?'
Obstacles beyond UK law
Responding, Norris said any attempt to remove Ahmed would involve more than simply changing UK legislation. 'Deportations are multifactorial, including barriers in our own domestic laws, barriers perhaps in other laws too, as well as the returns agreements we have around the world,' he said. 'He has heard from me the spirit in which we're operating in this. I can only be as clear as to say that all of those options are on the table.'
Pressure for legal reform is also coming from Labour's own benches. Labour MPs Jim McMahon, Paul Waugh and Elsie Blundell, who represent constituencies covering Oldham and Rochdale, have all urged ministers to change the law in light of Ahmed's case.
Pakistan refuses to accept Ahmed
Any legislative changes could reportedly be announced ahead of the second reading of Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration legislation on July 13. Even if Parliament changes the law, however, ministers still face another significant obstacle. Pakistan is currently refusing to accept Ahmed because of a dispute over whether he remains one of its citizens. Ahmed is said to have torn up his Pakistani passport and renounced his Pakistani citizenship, although UK authorities dispute that claim. Pakistani ministers and officials maintain their records show Ahmed is no longer a Pakistani citizen, preventing his return to the country.
