Pakistan is refusing to accept the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang despite plans to change to British law to allow him to be deported.
Shabir Ahmed – who served 14 years in jail for multiple rapes and sexual abuse against young girls – was released from prison last week. At the time, the government said he could not be deported – despite being stripped of his British citizenship – due to a 55-year-old law.
Next week, the home secretary is expected to announce changes to the Immigration Act 1971 act to close the loophole which meant he could not be returned to Pakistan.
However, it is understood that Pakistan is currently refusing to accept Ahmed and is demanding the extradition of two political dissidents from the UK in order to do so.
A No 10 spokesperson earlier this week confirmed it has raised the issue with officials in Islamabad.
Under the Immigration Act 1971, those who arrived in the UK before 1973 and lived in the UK for at least five years before their deportation was considered cannot be removed from the country, which is the case for Ahmed.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow…
