Andy Burnham, widely anticipated to succeed Keir Starmer as Britain’s new prime minister towards the end of this month, is leading demands for the deportation of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang ringleader to Pakistan after he was released from prison on Thursday, July 2.
Burnham, the MP for Makerfield, is expected to be elected unopposed later in July after Starmer’s resignation. He recently said that he will “review all options” to remove the grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed, who was convicted in 2012 of multiple charges including rape and sexual offences against young girls.
The scandal, which rocked Rochdale in Greater Manchester, lies within Burnham’s former mayoral jurisdiction and returned to the headlines after it emerged that Ahmed is protected under a 1970s law that blocks his deportation.
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“I want this vile criminal out of the country,” says Andy Burnham
“Like everyone, I want this vile criminal out of the country. Victims must come first,” Burnham said while announcing his intentions regarding the notorious grooming gang.
“I will ask the Home and Foreign Secretaries to review all possible options – and they should consider nothing is off the table,” he added.
Who is Shabir Ahmed?
Ahmed (73), a dual national, was deprived of his British citizenship upon being sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment by a UK court.
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First published on: Jul 03, 2026 11:10 AM IST
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Sheetal Prasad
Sheetal Prasad is a news author with 1.5 years of experience in journalism. She covers a diverse range of topics, including politics, entertainment, and trending news, ensuring her readers stay informed about the latest developments. Sheetal holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Adamas University, West Bengal, which has equipped her with essential storytelling skills. Previously, she worked as a news journalist at Odisha TV. In addition to her articles, Sheetal manages a live blog that offers real-time updates on breaking news and trending stories. This interactive platform allows her audience to engage with the news as it unfolds, enhancing their understanding of significant issues. Every article she writes is rigorously verified by the News Desk team before publication, ensuring accuracy and reliability. Sheetal is committed to delivering trustworthy information, making her a dependable source for readers seeking quality content. When she’s not writing, Sheetal enjoys creating content for her YouTube channel and watching podcasts and interviews with renowned personalities. You can connect with her on Instagram for more insights and updates.
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