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Labour MP Tulip Siddiq is facing trial later this month over corruption allegations in Bangladesh. The former minister is accused of illegally obtaining land in Bangladesh as part of a broader investigation into the regime of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted as prime minister last year. The country’s Anti-Corruption Commission has confirmed that her case will be heard on 11 August, alongside more than 20 other individuals, including Hasina and other family members. If Siddiq fails to attend, the trial will proceed in her absence. Siddiq’s legal team has refuted the accusations, labeling them as “politically motivated.”
Following a scandal involving the alleged corruption, Siddiq resigned as treasury minister in Sir Keir Starmer’s administration in January, citing that staying in her position would serve as a “distraction,” although she maintained her innocence. The three cases scheduled for the trial accuse Siddiq of using her influence within her aunt’s government to secure land for her mother, brother, and sister in Purbachal, Dhaka. Despite multiple summons, Siddiq has yet to appear before the court, leading Bangladeshi authorities to issue an arrest warrant against her earlier this year.
In response to the allegations, Siddiq’s lawyers released a statement asserting that the accusations against her by the Bangladesh authorities are baseless and part of an ongoing smear campaign. The lawyers highlighted that Siddiq has not received any official communication from the court and does not own any land in Purbachal. They criticized the lack of a fair and credible investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Last month, interim leader Muhammad Yunus declined to meet Siddiq to discuss the allegations, stating that it is a matter for the court to handle.
Additionally, a separate investigation is being conducted by the commission into allegations of embezzlement totaling £3.9bn related to a Russian-funded nuclear power plant deal with Bangladesh in 2013 concerning Siddiq and her family. Denying any involvement in the deal, Siddiq has found herself entangled in a series of accusations made by Bobby Hajjaj, a political opponent of Hasina. Authorities estimate that approximately $234bn (£174bn) was illicitly extracted from Bangladesh during Hasina’s tenure. Siddiq stepped down from her ministerial position earlier this year following an inquiry led by Sir Laurie Magnus, the prime minister’s standards adviser, which did not uncover any evidence of wrongdoing but highlighted Siddiq’s lack of awareness of potential reputational risks associated with her connection to her aunt
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