PRESS RELEASE: FORMER GMP DETECTIVE TURNED WHISTLE BLOWER, MAGGIE OLIVER’S STATEMENT ON DEPORTATION OF TWO MEMBERS OF THE “ROCHDALE GROOMING GANG”

The Court of Appeal has upheld the recommendation to deport two of the members of the “Rochdale grooming gang”, despite their appeal that this was a violation of their human rights. Maggie Oliver is the former Greater Manchester Police detective who resigned from the force in 2012 to uncover the extent of the police failings in investigating these crimes. She says: “While I am grateful to hear today that these two paedophiles are finally to be deported, I am still enraged that this has taken such a long time to happen, at such an expense to the tax-payer and ongoing trauma to their victims. A criminal justice system that permits this is a broken one.

Seven years have passed since the original recommendation to deport them was made, and thirteen years since they committed the offences for which they were convicted. In the meantime, eye watering sums have money have been spent from the public purse providing them with legal aid to fight the decision. All on the basis that it would infringe on their human rights. In my opinion, they gave up their rights when they raped, trafficked, and, in the case of Khan, impregnated, vulnerable
children. I am pleased that the judge today agrees with me, as I’m sure will the majority of people reading this.

During this time, these rapists have been permitted to go about their normal lives in Rochdale, leaving their victims terrified that they might bump into them at any time, as in fact did happen to one of the girls who was completely retraumatized by the experience. As if they have not been through enough. I’m relieved for them today that this risk has been removed. Coupled with the historic apology they received in April from GMP for their failings in investigating their abuse, I hope these girls, now women, can finally find some peace.”