The Government is preparing to change immigration law to enable the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, a convicted Rochdale grooming gang leader who was released from prison after serving 14 years for multiple rape and child sexual abuse offences. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to introduce legislation to remove a legal protection dating from 1971 that currently prevents the deportation of a small number of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in Britain more than fifty years ago. Ahmed, now 73, was sentenced to 19 years in prison in 2012 for offences against vulnerable girls, some as young as twelve. Ministers have described his crimes as heinous and say they remain committed to pursuing his removal from the UK. The Government is also in discussions with Pakistani authorities regarding his immigration status.