Shabana Mahmood is determined to exhaust all possible avenues to deport a notorious leader of a grooming gang, expressing readiness to adjust legislation to overcome a significant barrier. The Home Secretary is actively pursuing the removal of Shabir Ahmed, recently released after serving a 14-year sentence for heinous crimes against young girls, some as young as 12 years old. Although initially sentenced to 19 years in 2012, Ahmed’s release has prompted Ms. Mahmood to address a 55-year-old law obstructing the deportation of criminals like him from the UK.
During a session in the Commons, Ms. Mahmood announced plans to amend the Immigration and Asylum Bill currently under parliamentary review to address the case of Shabir Ahmed. The proposed amendment aims to grant the Home Secretary the authority to invoke section seven of the Immigration Act 1971 specifically for cases involving serious criminals like Ahmed. This provision typically safeguards long-term UK residents but should not impede removal in cases as severe as Ahmed’s. The criteria for utilizing this power would be aligned with the capacity to revoke citizenship, applicable only in instances of exceptional gravity.
However, even if legislative changes are enacted, the UK’s ability to deport Ahmed hinges on Pakistan’s willingness to accept his return, a decision Islamabad has not yet agreed to. Ms. Mahmood acknowledged the uncertainty regarding Ahmed’s removal, emphasizing relentless efforts alongside the Foreign Secretary to pursue deportation. She highlighted the paramount importance of standing in solidarity with the victims and survivors impacted by Ahmed’s abhorrent actions.
The challenge of deporting Ahmed stems from a legal clause dating back to 1971, specifically Section 7 of the Immigration Act, preventing the expulsion of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK over 50 years ago. Justice Minister Catherine Atkinson highlighted the effectiveness of past visa restrictions in compelling cooperation from countries reluctant to repatriate their nationals.
Acknowledging that legislative adjustments are merely the initial step in the deportation process, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson emphasized the necessity of the offender’s home country consenting to repatriation. The UK government is actively exploring all available options to facilitate Ahmed’s removal, recognizing the need for collaborative efforts across various departments to address this complex case.
Reports suggest that the Pakistani government is linking Ahmed’s deportation to the extradition of two political dissidents currently residing in the UK, adding a layer of diplomatic complexity to the situation.