UK to Amend Deportation Law After Grooming Gang Ringleader's Release

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is amending the Immigration Act 1971 to close a provision exempting Commonwealth citizens who arrived before 1973 from deportation. The change targets Shabir Ahmed, 73, released in July after 14 years for 30 child rape convictions and citizenship deprivation. Officials claim the redraft will exempt serious offenders while preserving protections for the Windrush generation. The amendment faces a second obstacle: Pakistan refuses to accept Ahmed, disputing his nationality status—a diplomatic hurdle that could block removal regardless of UK law changes.