Shabana Mahmood is determined to exhaust all options to deport a notorious leader of a grooming gang, vowing to modify legislation to eliminate a key barrier. The Home Secretary is actively pursuing the removal of Shabir Ahmed, who recently completed a 14-year sentence for heinous crimes, including rape and sexual offenses against underage girls. Despite being sentenced to 19 years in prison in 2012, Ahmed was released on July 2.
During a session in the Commons, Ms. Mahmood announced plans to amend the Immigration and Asylum Bill currently under review in Parliament. The proposed amendment aims to address a longstanding legal impediment that prevents individuals like Ahmed, convicted of serious crimes, from being expelled from the UK. This modification will empower the Home Secretary to invoke section seven of the Immigration Act 1971 for cases involving severe criminal conduct, such as that of Shabir Ahmed.
However, even if the law is altered, Ahmed’s removal hinges on Pakistan’s agreement to accept him back, a step Islamabad has yet to commit to. Ms. Mahmood emphasized that while the legislative change does not guarantee Ahmed’s deportation, efforts will persist to explore all available avenues to pursue his expulsion, with a focus on supporting the victims and survivors affected by his actions.
The obstacle to Ahmed’s deportation lies in a provision from the 1971 Immigration Act, specifically Section 7, which bars the removal of Commonwealth citizens residing in the UK for more than 50 years. Justice Minister Catherine Atkinson highlighted the effectiveness of visa restrictions in compelling cooperation from countries reluctant to repatriate their nationals.
Acknowledging that amending the law is just the initial phase in the deportation process, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson stressed the necessity of securing consent from Ahmed’s home country for his return. The Pakistani government reportedly demands the extradition of two political dissidents from the UK as part of the negotiation.
The government’s commitment to exploring all avenues for Ahmed’s removal underscores the complex international cooperation required for such cases.