General · 2 July 2026

Rochdale grooming gang leader cannot be deported

Shabir Ahmed, a Rochdale grooming gang leader, has been released from prison but cannot be deported to Pakistan despite earlier promises to victims. This is due to a 1971 immigration law protecting Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and lived here for five years. Victims and politicians are furious, with calls to change the law to allow his removal.

By BriefTea Editorial · 2 July 2026 at 14:20

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

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