Labour MP Shabana Mahmood has expressed her determination to exhaust all possible options to deport a notorious leader of a grooming gang, outlining plans to amend existing laws that pose obstacles to his removal.
The individual in question, Shabir Ahmed, was recently released after serving 14 years for multiple counts of rape and sexual offenses against underage girls, some as young as 12. Despite being sentenced to 19 years in 2012, legal constraints have hindered his deportation.
During a session in the Commons, Mahmood disclosed intentions to modify the Immigration and Asylum Bill to address a 55-year-old legislation preventing the expulsion of criminals like Ahmed from the UK. The proposed amendment aims to grant the Home Secretary enhanced authority under section seven of the Immigration Act 1971, specifically targeting serious offenders like Ahmed without impeding the rights of long-term UK residents.
However, even with legislative changes, the UK’s ability to deport Ahmed hinges on Pakistan’s willingness to accept him back, a matter that Islamabad has yet to agree upon.
Acknowledging the complexities involved, Mahmood emphasized that altering the law does not guarantee Ahmed’s immediate removal from the country. Despite potential challenges, both Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper remain committed to exploring all avenues for deportation, prioritizing justice for the victims of Ahmed’s heinous crimes.
The existing legal barrier preventing Ahmed’s deportation stems from Section 7 of the 1971 Immigration Act, which prohibits the removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK over 50 years ago. Notably, previous instances have shown that visa restrictions can be a powerful tool in securing cooperation from nations reluctant to repatriate their citizens.
Government officials, including the Prime Minister’s spokesman, underscored that legislative amendments are just the initial step in the deportation process, emphasizing the crucial need for Pakistan’s cooperation in facilitating Ahmed’s return.
Reports suggest that the Pakistani government is leveraging the extradition of two political dissidents from the UK as bargaining chips in negotiations for Ahmed’s repatriation. The intricacies of international diplomacy and legal frameworks continue to shape the prospects of Ahmed’s eventual removal from the UK.
