Change Law to Allow Deportation of 'Grooming Gang' Leader

Change Law to Allow Deportation of 'Grooming Gang' Leader describes new British government steps to remove Shabir Ahmed to Pakistan after his release from prison. The government said on Monday it will amend the Immigration Act 1971, which currently bars deportation of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in Britain before 1973. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that the change would give her a new power to disapply Section 7 for serious criminals, while noting it would not guarantee deportation. Ahmed served 14 years for rape, sexual assault and trafficking of teenage girls in Rochdale and Oldham, with a 19-year sentence and loss of British citizenship while incarcerated. Officials said Pakistan has refused to accept his return so far, and they are exploring “all options.”