Relocated, deportation debated.
Rochdale grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed relocated after online address leak sparks renewed deportation debate.
Anonymous
Key Points
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Shabir Ahmed led a nine-member grooming gang and his victims were as young as 13, with him known to them by the nickname 'Daddy.'
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Ahmed has been stripped of British citizenship and remains with Pakistani citizenship, but deportation is currently blocked by a 1971 law that protects a small group of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than 50 years ago.
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The government is considering changes to the Immigration and Asylum Bill to remove immunity under the 1971 Immigration Act to enable deportation, but even with a change Pakistan’s agreement would still be required for removal.
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Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith publicly pressed for Ahmed’s removal and called for a much wider exclusion zone to prevent him being placed in Lancashire or the North West.
Shabir Ahmed, the 73-year-old ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, has been moved to a new location after his hostel address in Accrington was leaked on social media, according to Daily Star. Ahmed was released from prison in July after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for rape and multiple sexual offences against girls as young as 13.
His release has sparked public outrage and a diplomatic standoff. Pakistan has refused to take him back, and UK authorities face legal barriers to deporting him, according to LBC.
Hostel Address Leaked, Forcing Emergency Relocation
Ahmed's location at a hostel in Accrington, Lancashire, was posted on social media. Officials moved him quickly after the leak, according to Head Topics. He had been released earlier in July after serving just over half of his 22-year prison term.
Ahmed is under strict licence conditions. He must stay in approved accommodation 24 hours a day. He is on the sex offenders register for life. He cannot contact victims or children. He is also banned from parts of Rochdale and cannot return to his former home in Oldham, according to Daily Star.
Local MP Demands Wider Exclusion Zone Across North West
Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith publicly pushed for Ahmed's removal from Accrington. She also called for a much wider exclusion zone. She argued he should not be placed anywhere in Lancashire or the North West of England at all.
Officials said public protection is their top priority. Ahmed's presence in the North West continues to cause alarm among residents and campaigners. His victims' advocates have called for tougher restrictions since his release.
Pakistan Refuses to Take Ahmed Back, Blaming Britain
Pakistan's government has flatly refused to accept Ahmed's deportation. Officials in Islamabad said Britain is "where he was spoiled" and that his crimes are a UK responsibility, according to LBC. Pakistan argues that Ahmed spent his adult life in Britain and that his offences were committed there.
Ahmed had his British citizenship stripped. He now holds only Pakistani citizenship. But deportation is blocked by a 1971 law that protects a small group of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than 50 years ago, according to Whalesbook. Even if that law changes, Pakistan's active agreement would still be needed for removal to go ahead.
UK Weighs Visa Restrictions as Deportation Talks Stall
The UK has raised the possibility of imposing visa restrictions on Pakistan over the impasse, according to Geo TV. It is an escalating diplomatic pressure tactic as talks over Ahmed's removal remain stuck.
The government is looking at changes to the Immigration and Asylum Bill. The goal is to remove the 1971 Act immunity that currently shields Ahmed from deportation. But legal experts warn that even a change in law would not be enough on its own. Pakistan would still have to agree to take him, and so far it has refused to do so, according to Geo TV.
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