Tulip Siddiq, who is the niece of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, seeks urgent talks with Bangladesh’s interim leader amid politically charged corruption claims tied to her family, denying all allegations as unfounded and politically motivated.
Tulip Siddiq, the former UK City minister and Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate, has requested a meeting with Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, during his upcoming visit to London, media reported.
The purpose of the meeting is to clarify and resolve what Siddiq describes as a “misunderstanding” stemming from serious corruption allegations made against her by the Bangladeshi authorities, the The Guardian reported.
The allegations relate to claims that Siddiq, who is the niece of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, benefited improperly from the former regime. Sheikh Hasina was recently put on trial in absentia in Bangladesh on charges related to crimes against humanity during her 15-year tenure as prime minister. The accusations have intensified political tensions between rival factions in Bangladesh.
Central to the allegations aired by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is the claim that Siddiq or her mother obtained a 7,200-square-foot plot of land through the “abuse of power and influence” while Hasina was in office. Siddiq and her legal team categorically deny these claims, labelling them “politically motivated” and unfounded. Moreover, Siddiq states she has not been contacted directly by Bangladeshi authorities regarding these accusations.
Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by Laurie Magnus, the UK adviser on ministerial standards, Siddiq resigned from her government position as economic secretary to the Treasury and City minister last year. She cited the ongoing allegations as a distracting factor for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration.
In her letter to Muhammad Yunus, Siddiq emphasises her desire to meet during his London visit, where he is scheduled to meet King Charles and hold talks with Starmer at Downing Street. She writes that the meeting “might help clear up the misunderstanding perpetuated by the anti-corruption committee in Dhaka” concerning questions raised about her family connections to Sheikh Hasina.
Siddiq highlights her British identity, saying: “I am a UK citizen, born in London, and have represented the people of Hampstead and Highgate in Parliament for the last decade. I have no property nor any business interests whatsoever in Bangladesh. The country is dear to my heart but it is not where I was born, live, or have built my career.”
She also expresses frustration at the ACC’s refusal to engage with her London-based lawyers, noting that the commission continues to send correspondence to an unrelated address in Dhaka. Siddiq describes the investigation as a “fantasy” where every development is leaked to the media without due process or dialogue with her legal representatives.
The ACC’s investigation follows claims from political opponent Bobby Hajjaj that Sheikh Hasina and her extended family embezzled billions of pounds from infrastructure projects. Siddiq contends that she is the target of a politically motivated smear campaign orchestrated by opponents of her aunt.
Recent reports suggest a warrant was issued in Bangladesh for Siddiq’s arrest, though she denies any knowledge of such legal actions. As the UK and Bangladesh maintain a 2B extradition arrangement, British ministers and judges require clear and convincing evidence before considering any arrest requests from Dhaka.
Last year, Siddiq voluntarily referred herself to the UK’s adviser on ministerial standards amid allegations related to her property acquisitions in the UK. Magnus’s investigation found no evidence of illicit gains but advised Siddiq to be more conscious of reputational risks due to her family ties. The inquiry also reviewed claims about Siddiq’s presence at the signing of a 2013 nuclear deal in Moscow between Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Siddiq explained that she was there socially and as a tourist, a claim accepted by the adviser.
Separately, the UK’s National Crime Agency recently froze nearly £90 million worth of luxury London properties linked to two men associated with Sheikh Hasina.
A spokesperson for Bangladesh’s interim government, Shafiqul Alam, confirmed they have not yet seen Siddiq’s letter and declined to comment. “We cannot comment on something we have not seen,” he said.
