"When will the minister be bringing forward this legislation"
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to change the law so the government can move towards deporting Rochdale grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed.
The proposed amendment would address a legal barrier created by the Immigration Act 1971, which currently prevents Ahmed from being removed from the UK.
However, the government still faces further challenges, with Pakistan refusing to accept Ahmed’s return.
Ahmed was released from prison after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for 30 child rape offences.
He was stripped of his British citizenship following his conviction but cannot currently be deported because of restrictions under existing immigration rules.
The Immigration Act includes protections for people who arrived in Britain before 1973 and have lived in the UK for at least five years.
The government is expected to announce that officials have identified a way to close the legal loophole without affecting the rights of other Commonwealth citizens, including those from the Caribbean who make up part of the Windrush scandal.
Mahmood’s announcement is expected to coincide with the second reading of the government’s immigration and asylum bill.
A government source said: “We are confident that there is a fix to deal with the domestic side of it but it is now down to the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] negotiations with Pakistan that will decide if [Ahmed] stays in the UK.”
The issue was raised in the House of Commons earlier this week, with calls for urgent action to change the law.
Robbie Moore, the MP for Keighley and Ilkley, asked when legislation would be introduced to allow Ahmed’s deportation.
Moore said: “When will the minister be bringing forward this legislation, so that we in this House can vote on it and make sure that this individual that has caused heinous crimes across Rochdale is deported?”
Home Office minister Alex Norris replied: “I can only be as clear as to say that all of those options are on the table. He raises important ways too.
“But it is never quite as easy, I think, as he’s put there.
“But I know of his motivations; I think I share them myself, and I’m sure at the right moment he’ll be keen to support us in our work.”
Pakistan has so far refused to accept Ahmed and two other freed ringleaders linked to the Rochdale grooming gang.
Officials have argued that the men previously renounced their Pakistani citizenship, meaning they cannot be returned.
The UK government disputes this claim in Ahmed’s case, arguing he did not complete the required legal process to give up his citizenship.
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed the issue has been raised with officials in Islamabad as negotiations continue.
The outcome of those discussions will determine whether Ahmed can ultimately be removed from the UK after any domestic legal changes are made.
