‘He’s British!’ Zack Polanski says it ‘doesn’t make sense’ to deport Rochdale rape gang ringleader.TA
Zack Polanski has said it does not make sense to deport the ringleader of a Rochdale rape gang to Pakistan.
The Green Party leader dismissed calls to deport Shabir Ahmed, 73, after the convicted sex offender was released from prison following his sentence for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against girls as young as 13 years old.
Ahmed was released from prison last month after being jailed for 22 years for 30 child rape offences and 19 years for child sex offences and trafficking in 2012.
The 73-year-old, who was born in Pakistan, was stripped of his British citizenship following his conviction.
Discussing the case on ITV, Mr Polanski said: “I don’t think we should be making these (decisions) on a case-by-case basis.
“I think we need to make sure we have consistency and also make sure we stick to the rule of law.”
He continued: “He committed those crimes in Britain so it makes sense to me that as a British citizen he stays in a British prison.
“I accept there may be more details I’m not privy to, I’m not the justice minister or in the Home Office.”
Zack Polanski broke ranks with his political rivals
| PA
Mr Polanski went on to argue it “doesn’t make diplomatic sense” to deport Ahmed if he still poses a threat, instead arguing: “It makes sense to me that he is maintained in prison until he’s not a threat.”
However, other political figures have been pushing for Ahmed’s deportation to Pakistan.
Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham revealed “nothing is off the table” after being pushed by backbench Labour MPs to take action.
Meanwhile, Tory and Reform UK MPs have demanded that Labour suspends all foreign aid payments to Pakistan.
