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UK Labour MP convicted in Bangladesh over land corruption allegations
British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has been sentenced to two years in prison by a Bangladeshi court after being convicted in absentia on corruption charges, which she denies as "deeply unfair" and politically motivated. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, stems from accusations that Siddiq used her influence over her aunt, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to secure a plot of land for her family near Dhaka in 2013.
Trial condemned as "farcical" by Siddiq
The Hampstead and Kilburn MP, who resigned as a UK Treasury minister in January amid scrutiny of her ties to Hasina, called the legal process "flawed from beginning to end." In statements to British media, she asserted she had received no formal summons, charge sheet, or correspondence from Bangladeshi authorities, despite the allegations circulating for 18 months.
"I'm baffled by the whole thing," Siddiq said. "The only way I learned of this conviction was through newspapers. This is trial by media-deeply unfair." She described the ordeal as a "Kafkaesque nightmare" and confirmed she had retained lawyers in both the UK and Bangladesh to challenge the ruling.
"Prosecutors have peddled false allegations briefed to the media but never formally presented to me. I've done nothing wrong and will respond to any credible evidence-if it exists."
Tulip Siddiq, via spokesperson
Charges tied to post-Hasina crackdown
The case is part of a broader campaign by Bangladesh's interim government against Hasina, her ousted in July 2024 after mass protests, and her associates. Court documents allege Siddiq "forced and influenced" her aunt to allocate land to her mother, sister, and brother in Dhaka's outskirts. Prosecutors argued she was tried as a Bangladeshi citizen, citing her childhood passport and tax records-claims her legal team disputes.
Siddiq's lawyers told the Financial Times she has never held a Bangladeshi ID or voter card as an adult. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) secured a two-year prison term, a 100,000 taka ($821/£620) fine, and an additional six months if unpaid. The trial began in August, with Siddiq refusing to attend despite an arrest warrant.
UK legal figures question proceedings
A group of senior British lawyers, including former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and ex-Attorney General Dominic Grieve, wrote to Bangladesh's UK envoy last week, condemning the trial as "artificial and contrived." They noted Siddiq was denied "proper legal representation" and called the process a "misuse of judicial power for political ends."
Broader crackdown on Hasina's circle
The verdict follows Hasina's death sentence in absentia two weeks ago for her role in a 2024 crackdown that killed an estimated 1,400 protesters. Hasina, now in exile in India, denies the charges. Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has accused Hasina's Awami League of systemic corruption, estimating $234bn (£174bn) was misappropriated during her 15-year rule.
Siddiq-whose mother is Hasina's sister-faces two additional trials linked to the land allegations, plus investigations into a £3.9bn Russian-funded nuclear plant deal and the transfer of a Dhaka flat to her sister. She has consistently denied wrongdoing, calling the accusations politically driven.
UK Labour Party stands by Siddiq
A Labour spokesperson said the party "cannot recognise the judgement," citing concerns from legal experts about the lack of due process. "Tulip has never been informed of the charges against her, despite repeated requests," the statement read. "Everyone facing allegations deserves the right to legal representation."
Siddiq remains a Labour MP with the party whip, facing no UK investigations. The UK lacks an extradition treaty with Bangladesh, classified as a "2B" country requiring clear evidence for any extradition request. In January, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's ethics adviser found "no evidence of impropriety" in her conduct but noted "reputational risks" tied to her family connections.
Awami League denounces "political persecution"
Hasina's Awami League dismissed the verdict as "predictable," accusing the interim government of weaponizing the judiciary. "This fails any test of fairness," the party said in a statement, pointing to criticism from local and international legal experts. Hasina has previously claimed Bangladesh's courts are now controlled by her "political opponents."
