Labour MP and former UK minister Tulip Siddiq has been sentenced to two years in prison in Bangladesh after being convicted in absentia on corruption charges she strongly denies. Siddiq, who represents the London constituency of Hampstead and Highgate, was found guilty alongside 16 others for allegedly pressuring her aunt—Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina—to secure a plot of land for members of their extended family in Dhaka.
The verdict marks the latest development in a series of accelerating legal actions against Hasina, her relatives, and her political circle following the collapse of her government in July 2024. Critics say the proceedings reflect a sweeping campaign by Bangladesh’s interim administration to dismantle the former ruling bloc through mass prosecutions widely seen as politically motivated.
Siddiq denies all charges
Siddiq, who has spent most of her life in the United Kingdom, has repeatedly dismissed the allegations as fabricated and malicious. Her legal representatives argue that she is not a Bangladeshi citizen, challenging claims by prosecutors that they had obtained a passport and tax identification issued in her name. Because the UK and Bangladesh do not share an extradition treaty, Siddiq is not expected to serve any prison term imposed by the Dhaka court.
The Labour MP resigned as a Treasury minister in January 2024 after rising pressure relating to her family connections. At the time, she said she had “done absolutely nothing wrong,” describing the claims as “vexatious, unfounded and deeply distressing.”
Court ruling and allegations
According to court documents submitted during the trial, prosecutors accused Siddiq of using “special influence” to persuade Hasina to allocate land to Siddiq’s mother, sister and brother. Judge Rabiul Alam, who presided over the case, sentenced her to two years imprisonment as well as a fine of 100,000 Bangladeshi taka—approximately £620. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months behind bars.
Siddiq has yet to issue a fresh public comment following the judgment. However, she has previously criticised Bangladeshi authorities for leaking allegations to the media while refusing to provide her legal team with the evidence referenced in press statements.
Her lawyers further argue that the proceedings violate international fair-trial standards, noting that Siddiq did not have the opportunity to present a defence, secure appropriate representation in Bangladesh, or challenge the prosecution’s claims.
Context of political upheaval
The ruling against Siddiq comes amid sweeping legal offensives targeting senior figures connected to the former Awami League administration. Her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, was herself sentenced to death just two weeks earlier in a separate trial conducted in absentia, accused of crimes against humanity and responsibility for violent crackdowns during anti-government protests before her ousting. Hasina, now exiled in India, has condemned the charges as politically engineered and “rooted in revenge.”
Bangladeshi authorities estimate that $234 billion was misappropriated during Hasina’s tenure—figures the Awami League rejects as wildly inflated and “designed to legitimise political persecution.” Party officials have described Siddiq’s verdict as “predictable” and asserted that the judicial process lacks transparency and impartiality.
Concerns from UK legal and political figures
The sentencing has drawn notable concern from prominent UK legal experts and former officials. Former justice secretary Robert Buckland, former attorney general Dominic Grieve and human rights barrister Cherie Blair have raised alarms over the process. In a letter addressed to Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in London, they stressed that Siddiq had been denied proper legal representation and described the trial as “contrived, biased and inconsistent with international standards.”
They urged Bangladesh’s authorities to halt politically charged prosecutions and ensure due process for all individuals implicated in cases linked to the former government.
Before her resignation from ministerial office, the UK’s independent ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus reviewed Siddiq’s conduct. Magnus found no evidence of wrongdoing, though he noted she should have exercised greater caution given her family’s political prominence in Bangladesh. His assessment largely cleared her of impropriety but highlighted reputational risks associated with her lineage.
Legal challenges and ongoing investigations
In addition to this latest ruling, Siddiq faces two further ongoing trials in Bangladesh, as well as an active investigation into the transfer of a luxury apartment in Dhaka allegedly linked to her family. Her lawyers say she cannot meaningfully participate in the proceedings due to risks to her safety and the absence of credible due-process guarantees.
Despite the arrest warrant issued in Dhaka, Siddiq remains free to continue her parliamentary duties in the United Kingdom. Any attempt by Bangladesh to request extradition would likely be rejected by British courts unless supported by detailed, verifiable evidence—an outcome legal analysts say is improbable given the heavily contested nature of the charges.
Political implications and international fallout
International observers warn that the growing list of high-profile convictions could further destabilise Bangladesh’s political landscape. Rights groups say the interim administration is using the courts to consolidate control and suppress figures linked to the previous government, while officials in Dhaka insist the prosecutions are necessary to address years of alleged corruption.
The case against Siddiq has also sparked debate within UK political circles, as MPs and legal experts weigh the extent to which Britain should respond to a verdict seen by many as politically orchestrated. While the Foreign Office has not publicly commented, several Labour MPs have privately expressed support for Siddiq and concern for her family’s safety.
As the legal saga continues to unfold, Siddiq is expected to remain in London, continuing her parliamentary work while navigating the diplomatic and political pressures stemming from the latest ruling.
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