‘I’m collateral damage’: ex-minister Tulip Siddiq on her Bangladesh corruption trial

Published: 19th July ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

In an exclusive interview, Tulip Siddiq, the British Member of Parliament for Hampstead and Highgate and former Treasury minister, has spoken out about the ongoing corruption trial in Bangladesh in which she has been implicated. The niece of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Siddiq described the allegations against her as “completely absurd” and said she feels like “collateral damage” amid a political feud unfolding in her ancestral homeland.

Siddiq, a loyal supporter of Labour leader Keir Starmer, revealed that she only recently learned of her formal indictment in Bangladesh through a journalist contacting her lawyer. The charges accuse her of using her familial influence to secure land in Purbachal, a suburb of Dhaka, for her mother, brother, and sister. However, she maintains that the accusations lack any foundation and remains perplexed about the details of the case.

The trial, which also involves more than 20 other defendants, is set to begin on August 11. Siddiq remains uncertain whether she will participate in person or via videolink, stating that she has yet to receive an official summons or clear information about the specific charges. “I feel a bit like I’m trapped in this Kafkaesque nightmare,” she told The English Chronicle Online, expressing frustration over the opaque legal process.

Bangladeshi authorities have indicated they may proceed with a trial in absentia if Siddiq does not appear. The question of extradition hangs in the balance, as the UK and Bangladesh currently do not have an extradition treaty, a point Siddiq confirmed she personally verified.

The political context surrounding the case is turbulent. After Sheikh Hasina’s government fell following widespread protests and civil unrest, a new administration under economist Muhammad Yunus took power in Dhaka. This political shift has brought intensified scrutiny and accusations against figures connected to the former regime, including Siddiq and her family. The former Prime Minister and Siddiq’s mother, Sheikh Rehana, fled Bangladesh amid the turmoil, echoing a dark family history marked by the assassination of Siddiq’s grandfather, the nation’s first president, during the 1975 coup.

Siddiq’s life in the UK continues largely as normal, living with her husband and two children. She stresses that she is not defending her aunt’s political legacy, acknowledging ongoing investigations into Hasina’s time in office. However, she insists she has been unfairly targeted by “dirty politics,” citing defamatory reports linking her to massive financial scandals and allegations of improper gifts, such as a London flat purportedly linked to political associates — claims she refutes.

Clarifying confusion about the flat, Siddiq explained that her parents had bought it decades ago, though she had mistakenly provided conflicting information to the media, which she attributes to the fading memory of her elderly parents. She also highlighted concerns for her personal security, including a move from a property owned by a Bangladeshi-heritage landlord after threats surfaced.

In response to the allegations, Siddiq voluntarily referred herself to the UK’s independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus. After thorough scrutiny, Magnus cleared her of breaching the ministerial code, though he noted that she could have been more alert to reputational risks given her family connections.

Despite her resignation from ministerial office to prevent distraction from government work, Starmer’s support remains steadfast, with assurances that she may return to a government role in the future. Yet, the accusations and political tensions persist, with Siddiq’s legal team still seeking clear information and access to evidence.

Meanwhile, reports suggest ongoing human rights concerns in Bangladesh, including violence and attacks on journalists and minority groups linked to the country’s political upheaval. Siddiq’s attempts to engage with the current government for dialogue have been rebuffed, with the administration emphasizing the need to avoid prejudicing judicial proceedings.

Financial probes have also extended internationally, with UK authorities freezing assets tied to allies of the former regime, including properties where Siddiq’s family members reside. Siddiq denies any involvement with these assets.

Summing up her predicament, Siddiq reflected, “The truth is that I’m collateral damage, because of this feud between Muhammad Yunus and my aunt. These are wider forces that I’m battling against… There’s no doubt people have done wrong things in Bangladesh, and they should be punished for it. It’s just I’m not one of them.”

Her case underscores the complex intertwining of family, politics, and international law, as Siddiq navigates a personal and political storm far from her parliamentary duties in the UK.