Shabir Ahmed, the 73-year-old leader of a grooming gang in Rochdale, has been released from prison after serving 22 years for multiple child sexual offences, including rape. His release on licence was confirmed on July 2, 2026, leading to outcry from victims and political leaders who are calling for changes to immigration laws to enable his deportation.
Details of Ahmed's Release
Ahmed, who was known as 'Daddy' among his victims, was convicted in August 2012 for systematically grooming and abusing girls as young as 12. Following his release, he is now residing in a 24-hour staffed accommodation and is required to wear a GPS electronic monitoring tag. The Home Office has stated that any breach of his strict conditions will result in his immediate return to prison.
The decision to release Ahmed has raised significant concerns among his victims and the public, prompting Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, to urge the Home Secretary to review his case and explore options for deportation.
Political Reactions and Calls for Legislative Change
Political leaders are reacting strongly to Ahmed's release. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, announced that her party would seek to amend the Immigration and Asylum Bill to close the loophole preventing his deportation. The loophole arises from provisions in the Immigration Act 1971, which protects Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973.
In a statement, Andy Burnham, the anticipated new Labour leader, expressed his desire for Ahmed to be removed from the country, emphasizing that victims must come first. He stated, "I will ask the home and foreign secretaries to review all possible options - and they should consider nothing is off the table."
Victims' Concerns and Future Implications
Victims of the grooming gang, including one identified as 'Ruby', have expressed fear for their safety following Ahmed's release. Ruby stated, "The main ringleader is getting out of prison, who is well known in Rochdale, Oldham and Middleton, so even if he's not in that area, he still knows people and has a chance to talk to people from that area and that makes me unsafe."
As discussions continue regarding the potential amendments to the immigration laws, the government is under pressure to act swiftly. Jim McMahon, a Labour MP, highlighted the importance of ensuring the law serves its intended purpose and does not protect individuals who pose a threat to the community.
- Ahmed was convicted in 2012 for child sexual offences.
- He served 22 years in prison.
- Victims were informed of his release on July 2, 2026.
- There are ongoing discussions to amend immigration laws.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC News. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
