Andy Burnham pledges review of deportation options for Rochdale gang leader

Andy Burnham, widely expected to become prime minister on 20 July 2026, has pledged to "review all possible options" to secure the deportation of a convicted grooming gang ringleader. The intervention follows the revelation that the perpetrator, 73-year-old Shabir Ahmed, is scheduled for release from prison on Thursday, 2 July 2026, despite a long-standing legal barrier preventing his removal from the United Kingdom.

Ahmed, known to his victims as "Daddy", was convicted in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against young girls as part of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang. Although Ahmed was stripped of his British citizenship following his conviction, he remains in the country due to provisions within the Immigration Act 1971. Under this legislation, Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and maintained continuous residence for at least five years before deportation was considered are protected from removal.

Media additions

In a public statement regarding the case, Mr Burnham indicated a hardline stance, writing:

"Like everyone, I want this vile criminal out of the country. Victims must come first. I will ask the Home and Foreign Secretaries to review all possible options - and they should consider nothing is off the table."

Andy Burnham, via Express

Safety concerns and victim testimony

The impending release of the ringleader has sparked significant distress among survivors. One victim, identifying herself as Ruby, stated that she remains terrified for her safety and that of her children, noting that the perpetrator retains local connections in areas such as Rochdale, Oldham, and Middleton. She argued that the current system consistently fails survivors, leaving them to "fend for themselves" despite government assurances of dedicated support teams. Another survivor described living in a state of "constant hypervigilance," noting that the psychological toll makes it difficult to live freely while the offender poses an unmonitored risk.

Maggie Oliver, a former Greater Manchester Police detective and campaigner, criticised the lack of progress, stating that victims had been given false promises and that the current legal framework makes a "mockery" of those who suffered. Claire Waxman, the victims' commissioner, added that the case highlights a broader issue where victims receive inconsistent or inaccurate information, which undermines confidence in the justice system.

Political and legal context

While the Home Office maintains it is committed to deporting foreign national offenders, officials acknowledge that such processes depend on the cooperation of receiving nations. Justice minister Jake Richards stated that while the current situation is difficult due to the retrospective nature of potential legal changes, the government is focusing on strict monitoring of the offender upon release. Other politicians, including Jim McMahon and Paul Waugh, have also urged the government to explore every avenue, including legislative change, to facilitate deportation.

The challenge of removing offenders is not unique to this case. Previous attempts to deport other members of the same gang, including Qari Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan, have also stalled. Officials noted that some individuals have renounced their original citizenship, complicating diplomatic efforts to return them to Pakistan. Baroness Jacqui Smith indicated that work is ongoing to negotiate returns, while acknowledging that current laws provide significant protections that the government is now under intense pressure to dismantle.

Current oversight measures

As part of his release conditions, the following safeguards have been confirmed by authorities:

• Mandatory 24/7 monitoring in supervised accommodation.
• Inclusion on the sex offenders' register for life.
• Requirement to wear an electronic tag to track movement.
• Strict curfews and a ban on contacting children or young people.
• An exclusion zone preventing entry into Rochdale and Oldham.

Mr Burnham, whose record as Greater Manchester mayor has faced scrutiny from political opponents including Reform UK, has previously defended his handling of child exploitation scandals. During a public event on 8 January 2026, he argued that his administration had faced the issue directly and had advocated for the national inquiry into grooming gangs that was announced earlier this year. He noted that while local reviews provided insight, they lacked the statutory power to compel evidence, which he suggested necessitated the broader national process.