Elsie Blundell MP's statement in response to Rochdale grooming gang leader's imminent release

Wednesday, 1 July 2026 11:23

By Jack Shepherd

Elsie Blundell MP, in response to the release of Shabir Ahmed on Thursday, has released the following statement.

"This appalling individual, Shabir Ahmed, must not be released back into our community, where he has already done so much harm. He should not be being released at all.

"Any rights he had to walk our streets were, in my view, forfeited when he committed these vile crimes.

"Tomorrow, I will be meeting with senior Government officials, alongside other affected MPs, to speak up for our community.”

This comes after it was announced that Shabir Ahmed would be released from prison on Thursday, but is unable to be deported due to him having arrived before 1973, and had lived in the UK for more than 5 years when his deportation was considered, as are the provisions established in the Immigration Act 1971.

Ahmed was jailed in 2012 with a 22 year sentence for 30 child rape offences.

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