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Shabir Ahmed, the 73-year-old who led a Rochdale grooming gang responsible for abusing girls as young as 12, has recently been released from prison. Known to his victims as “Daddy,” Ahmed was sentenced to 22 years in August 2012 after being found guilty of multiple child sexual offences, including rape. Despite earlier assurances from authorities, his release on licence has sparked concerns as he cannot currently be deported due to a legal provision dating back over five decades.
The law in question is the Immigration Act 1971, which prevents the removal of any Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and have lived in the country for at least five years. Consequently, although Ahmed’s British citizenship was revoked by the courts following his conviction, this law restricts the government’s ability to deport him. Ahmed, who arrived in the UK in the late 1960s and held dual British and Pakistani nationality, is now living in accommodation under 24-hour supervision and is subject to electronic tagging to monitor his movements closely.
In response to the situation, Sir Keir Starmer has urged the home secretary to review Ahmed’s case, highlighting calls for amendments to immigration legislation that would enable his deportation. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also pledged to act, aiming to close the existing loophole through changes to the Government’s current Immigration and Asylum Bill. Labour representatives, including Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, and Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham, have expressed strong sentiments that the law was never intended to protect offenders like Ahmed, and they advocate for reform to prevent future cases.
The release has caused significant distress among Ahmed’s victims. Campaigners such as Billy Howarth, who has supported survivors since 2014, describe the impact as “continuous trauma” and note that some victims feel unsafe and fearful for their lives. One survivor, identified as ‘Ruby’ to maintain her anonymity, has spoken of her fear following Ahmed’s release, emphasizing his known connections in areas such as Rochdale and Oldham. Officials stress that any breach of Ahmed’s licence conditions would lead to immediate imprisonment, with authorities committed to monitoring him closely. However, the ongoing debate about deportation and public safety continues to be a critical and sensitive issue
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