UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to announce on Monday the legal measures she will take to deport Shabir Ahmed, the former ringleader of a Rochdale child sexual exploitation gang who was released from prison on licence this month.
Ahmed, who was sentenced to 22 years in 2012 for multiple counts of child sexual offences including rape, had his British citizenship revoked after his conviction, leaving him solely a Pakistani national. However, a 1971 law prevents the deportation of certain Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than five decades ago.
Mahmood's exact legislative plans remain unclear, but the announcement follows mounting cross-party pressure to remove Ahmed. He was one of nine men convicted of grooming and exploiting girls as young as 13 at two takeaway restaurants in Rochdale and Oldham.
Following his release, Ahmed has been housed in 24-hour staffed accommodation and is fitted with a GPS electronic tag. The government has warned he will be returned to prison if he breaches strict licence conditions. Several of his victims have expressed fear and feeling unsafe since his release.
The legal hurdle stems from the Immigration Act 1971, which bars the removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived before 1973 and have lived in the UK for at least five years. Ahmed is exempt despite losing his British citizenship while incarcerated.
It remains uncertain how long legislative changes would take, with one government source suggesting up to a year. Pakistan has not officially commented, but unofficial sources indicate the country is unlikely to accept Ahmed, arguing he is Britain's responsibility since he left Pakistan decades ago and renounced his Pakistani nationality.
Dr Farzana Shaikh, a Pakistan expert at Chatham House, revealed that back-channel negotiations have included Pakistan demanding the extradition of two political dissidents from the UK, indicating a diplomatic rift between the two nations.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp proposed sanctions if Pakistan refuses to accept Ahmed, including restricting visas for Pakistani nationals. The Conservatives advocate for emergency legislation or an amendment to the current immigration bill, which they believe could expedite the process.
Victims Minister Catherine Atkinson noted the government has not ruled out emergency legislation, citing Mahmood's track record of securing removals through visa penalties, as seen with Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson confirmed that all available options are being explored, including discussions with Pakistani authorities. The announcement comes amid calls from grooming gang survivors to exclude sex offenders from early release.