Lead

Shabir Ahmed, the leader of the Rochdale grooming gang, was released from HMP Leeds on Thursday despite being deemed to pose a “very high risk of serious harm” towards children, according to documents seen by the Guardian. The 73-year-old, who was jailed in 2012 for rape and sexual abuse charges, had previously failed three attempts to secure parole, the most recent of which was in October 2024.

Ahmed was at the centre of a grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 13, with a judge saying they were treated "as though they were worthless and beyond any respect." His release has prompted outrage from victims, politicians, and campaigners, as well as a debate over a legal loophole that prevents his deportation to Pakistan.

Coverage comparison

The Guardian's coverage focused on two key aspects: the high-risk assessment and the political response. The first report highlighted that a document from a 2023 review showed Ahmed was seen to present a “high risk of sexual offending.” The second report detailed Andy Burnham's, the Labour leader-in-waiting, intervention, vowing to explore "all possible options" to deport Ahmed if he becomes prime minister.

The Guardian reported that victims were told in 2012 that Ahmed would be deported after his conviction, but the government admitted this week that the Immigration Act 1971 prevents his deportation. Because Ahmed arrived in the UK before 1973 and had lived in the country for at least five years before his deportation was considered, he cannot be legally removed.

Key Claims

  • Shabir Ahmed was deemed to pose a "very high risk of serious harm" towards children in a 2023 review, as reported by the Guardian.
  • He was freed from HMP Leeds despite three failed attempts to secure parole, with the most recent in October 2024.
  • One of his victims, referred to as Amber, said she was left feeling "physically sick" and unable to sleep due to the ongoing danger she believes Ahmed and his contacts pose. She was not informed about his release by the police or Prison Service.
  • Ahmed was jailed for 22 years in 2012 for rape and sexual abuse charges.
  • Ahmed was stripped of his British citizenship after his convictions.

Perspectives

Andy Burnham, Labour leader-in-waiting

Burnham said he will ask the home and foreign secretaries to review "all possible options" to deport Ahmed, stating, "nothing is off the table." He expressed that the victims must come first.

Claire Waxman, Victims' Commissioner

Waxman, the victims' commissioner, said that victims in this case were told the offender would be deported, and that information was incorrect, according to the Guardian.

Alex Davies-Jones, former victims' minister

Davies-Jones resigned as the government's victims' minister in May and called the release "horrific," adding that the criminal justice system needs to listen to victims and act.

Home Office spokesperson

The Home Office said that Ahmed will be released on licence, meaning he will be recalled to prison if he breaches restrictions. He will also be banned from Rochdale.

Amber, victim

Amber said she found out about Ahmed's release via a message from a friend with a link to a news story, and that she is now trying to avoid social media because of the widespread coverage.

Conclusion

The case has highlighted a legal gap that prevents the deportation of certain individuals even if they are deemed a threat. While the government has said it will explore all possible options, the current law prevents action. The political and public scrutiny continues as the public weighs the need for safety against the legal constraints.