Green Party leader Zack Polanski has stated that Shabir Ahmed, a convicted leader of a Rochdale grooming gang, should not be deported from Britain. Polanski argued that it "doesn't make sense" to deport Ahmed, who was convicted in 2012 of multiple rape and sexual offenses against girls as young as 13.
Ahmed, 73, was released last month after serving 14 years of sentences totaling 22 years for 30 child rape offenses and 19 years for child sex offenses and trafficking. He held dual British-Pakistani citizenship but was stripped of his British citizenship following his conviction. A diplomatic dispute has since emerged with Pakistan after Ahmed reportedly renounced his Pakistani citizenship, which he acquired before moving to the UK at age 14 in 1967. Pakistan has refused to accept him, blaming Britain for his actions.
Discussing the case on television, Polanski emphasized the need for consistency and adherence to the rule of law. "I don't think we should be making these (decisions) on a case by case basis," he said. "I think we need to make sure we have consistency and also make sure we stick to the rule of law."
When asked about deporting Ahmed, Polanski suggested that deportation decisions should be based on threat assessments. "That would require a threat assessment and if he is still significant threat then he shouldn't be out of prison at all... He committed those crimes in Britain so it makes sense to me that as a British citizen he stays in a British prison," Polanski stated. He added that if Ahmed is still a threat, it would not be "diplomatic sense" for him to become a threat elsewhere, advocating for his continued incarceration until he is no longer deemed a risk.
Polanski acknowledged that he might not be privy to all details of the case, noting, "I accept there may be more details I'm not privy to, I'm not the justice minister or in the Home Office."
Previously, incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that "nothing is off the table" and that "Victims must come first." Meanwhile, Conservative and Reform MPs have called for the cessation of foreign aid to Pakistan and visa sanctions until the country agrees to take Ahmed back.
Ahmed led a group of eight Pakistani men and one Afghan who abused 47 girls over five years in Rochdale. In a separate trial, he was convicted of raping an Asian girl from the age of three into adulthood, receiving a concurrent sentence of 22 years. The court heard that the gang plied girls with alcohol and drugs before assaulting them.
Ministers have sought to deport Ahmed, but a 1971 law protecting certain Commonwealth citizens' rights has prevented his removal. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently announced plans to amend this legislation, stating it "should not be used as a bar against removal in cases like that of Shabir Ahmed." However, officials indicate that deportation requires Pakistan's agreement, and Downing Street has stated it is exploring diplomatic pressure to facilitate his return.
