UK to amend 1971 Immigration Act to allow deportation of Rochdale grooming gang ringleader

The UK government will amend the 1971 Immigration Act to allow the deportation of the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang who was released last week. The man, 73, was jailed for 22 years in August 2012 after being convicted of multiple child sexual offences including rape. He served his sentence and was released on licence.

Background on the case The man held dual British-Pakistani citizenship and lost his British citizenship after the 2012 conviction. Current law prevents his removal because he arrived in the UK before 1973 and had lived in the country for five years.

After release he was placed in 24-hour staffed accommodation and fitted with a GPS tag. Victims told reporters they felt frightened and unsafe following the release.

Government response Officials said any breach of his licence conditions would result in immediate return to prison. The government has stated it will not abandon efforts to deport him because of the nature of the crimes. A Conservative shadow home secretary had planned to introduce an amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill that would permit the deportation.

Home Office ministers told MPs last week that the government would continue working toward removal. One government source indicated the legislative change could take up to a year to complete.