Deporting Shabir Ahmed Amid Legal Loopholes | London News

The UK government is pushing to deport 73-year-old Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, despite a legal loophole that bars his removal under current immigration law. Stripped of British citizenship after serving 14 years in prison for 30+ child rapes, Ahmed can’t be deported because he arrived in the UK before 1973 and has lived here over five decades. Officials are now drafting amendments to close this loophole without harming other Commonwealth citizens like the Windrush generation. But the real roadblock? Pakistan refuses to take him back, claiming he renounced his Pakistani citizenship — a claim the UK disputes, arguing he never formally gave it up. With diplomatic talks underway and emergency legislation on the table, this case exposes the tangled web of justice, law, and international politics that can keep even the most dangerous criminals from being sent home. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d6f13556b68606ac