Burnham calls for grooming gang ringleader to be deported
Summary
Andy Burnham, likely to become the UK's next prime minister, wants to explore all options to deport Shabir Ahmed, the leader of a Rochdale grooming gang, who is about to be released from prison. However, Ahmed cannot be deported to Pakistan due to a UK law, and officials are working on ways to protect his victims and keep the community safe.Key Facts
- Shabir Ahmed was jailed in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against girls as young as 12.
- Ahmed holds dual British-Pakistani citizenship but lost his British citizenship after conviction.
- UK law currently prevents deporting Ahmed to Pakistan because he has lived in the UK since before 1973 and arrived before that year.
- Andy Burnham will ask the home and foreign secretaries to review all possible options for deportation.
- The Home Office is working with other government departments but has said deportation depends on Pakistan’s agreement.
- Victims, including one named Ruby, are worried about their safety after Ahmed’s release.
- Ahmed will live under strict supervision and within an exclusion zone after release.
- Justice Minister Jake Richards acknowledged difficulties in deporting foreign offenders to Pakistan and is focused on victim protection.
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