Dhaka, Bangladesh – Tulip Siddiq, a former UK Minister and Labour Party MP, has been sentenced to four years in prison by a Bangladesh court over corruption charges. This ruling has sparked strong criticism from the Labour Party, which described the legal process as unfair and unjust.
The court’s verdict also convicted Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, along with two other family members, on separate corruption charges, sentencing them to varying prison terms. The defendants, including Siddiq, have denied the charges, claiming that the trial proceeded in their absence and accusing the court of unfairness.
A Labour Party spokesperson commented on the verdict, saying: “Tulip Siddiq has not been given a fair legal process, and she has never been informed about the details of the charges against her.” The spokesperson added, “Anyone who is accused should be given the right to contest the charges legally. Since this was not afforded to Tulip, we cannot accept this judgment.”
The four-year sentence comes as an addition to the two-year sentence Siddiq received in late 2024 for alleged corruption. In December 2025, she was found guilty of using her “special privileges” to influence the acquisition of land in the outskirts of Dhaka.
Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, has strongly rejected the charges, calling the entire process “flawed and absurd from start to finish.” She further stated: “I still have not been contacted by Bangladeshi authorities, yet they have been spreading malicious accusations against me for over a year and a half.”
Siddiq’s troubles began in January 2025, when questions arose about her connections with her aunt Sheikh Hasina and the use of her London-based property. This led to her resignation as the UK Treasury Minister. Although Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s Ethical Adviser, stated that no evidence of irregularities had been found, he expressed regret, noting that Siddiq should have been more aware of the potential reputational risks.
In her resignation letter, Siddiq mentioned that she had “worked with complete transparency” and stepped down to avoid becoming an “obstacle” for the government.
The legal proceedings against Hasina and her family began after she was ousted from power. Sheikh Hasina, who led the country for 15 years, fled to India in August 2024 following a major student-led protest.
Additionally, Hasina was convicted last year for crimes against humanity, receiving a death sentence for her role in the violent crackdown on the student movement. She has labeled the charges as “politically motivated” and “biased.”
The case against Tulip Siddiq and her family reflects the deep political turmoil in Bangladesh, with allegations of corruption and power abuse directed at high-profile figures. The political climate remains tense, and these legal developments are likely to continue shaping both domestic and international perceptions of the country’s leadership and its legal system.
