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Or sign-in if you have an account.U.K. interior minister Shabana Mahmood. Photo by U.K. Parliament/AFP via Getty ImagesInterior minister Shabana Mahmood announced plans Monday to change U.K. law to allow a convicted pedophile who led a so-called grooming gang to be deported following his release from prison.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorShabir Ahmed was jailed in 2012 for 22 years for multiple child sexual offences including rape when he was the ringleader of a gang of similarly predatory men targeting girls in Rochdale, northern England.He left prison on licence earlier this month under the country’s early release program.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againHe was stripped of his British citizenship following his conviction, leaving him with only Pakistani nationality, but a 1971 immigration law has prevented his deportation.It prohibits the removal of Commonwealth nationals who, like Ahmed, arrived in Britain before 1973.Announcing the law would be changed through an amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill working its way through parliament, Mahmood told MPs it would ensure “the vilest foreign criminals” can be deported.“In response to the widely reported case of the vile grooming gang leader, Shabir Ahmed, our amendment will provide the Home Secretary with a new power to disapply Section 7 of the Immigration Act 1971 for serious criminals,” she said.“This provides protections for long-term U.K. residents but, clearly, should not be acting as a bar against removal in cases like that of Shabir Ahmed.”However, Mahmood noted this does not guarantee his removal, with Pakistan required to agree to accept him back. The U.K. media has reported that Islamabad has refused to do so.She added that ministers were continuing “to explore all avenues to pursue a deportation”.Opposition parties have demanded the government pressure Pakistan to comply, arguing it should threaten to cut overseas aid and impose other penalties if it refuses.The “grooming gangs” scandal has become a potent political issue in Britain.Over the course of several decades, in various English towns, men of mostly South Asian origin systematically abused thousands of mostly white girls from working-class families, often from troubled homes.More than 100 people have been convicted of the crimes, but official reports have blamed authorities for failing to intervene for fear of being seen as racist.Far-right figures, including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon — better known as Tommy Robinson — have used the scandal as a rallying cry against multiculturalism and immigration.Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year announced a national inquiry focused on the issue, which has also attracted the attention of US billionaire Elon Musk.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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