LONDON — An arrest warrant has been issued for UK Labour MP Tulip Siddiq in Bangladesh, where authorities allege she illegally acquired land through political influence.
Siddiq, the MP for Hampstead and Highgate, received a 7,200-square-foot plot in the capital city of Dhaka during her aunt Sheikh Hasina’s time in office. The property allocation is said to have been made through “abuse of power and influence.”
Siddiq, previously serving as the UK’s City Minister, resigned in January amid scrutiny over her family ties and property links.
Siddiq Denies Allegations
In a statement through her legal team, Siddiq denied all allegations and said she has not been contacted directly by the ACC or any Bangladeshi authority.
“There is no basis at all for any charges to be made against her, and there is absolutely no truth in any allegation that she received a plot of land in Dhaka through illegal means,” her lawyers told Metro.
They added that Siddiq has never owned land in Bangladesh or influenced land allocations to family members or others. Her lawyers called the charges “politically motivated” and said the ACC failed to provide supporting evidence.
Part of a Larger Political Fallout
The warrant for Siddiq is part of a broader legal sweep following the ousting of her aunt, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in 2024.
Hasina was removed from power after mass protests and accusations of corruption and authoritarianism. Approximately 1,500 people were reported killed during the unrest.
According to Bangladeshi media, 53 people—including Siddiq’s mother, brother, and sister—have been named in the case.
Hasina held office from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 to 2024. Critics have since labelled her a “despot” amid growing evidence of systemic abuse of power.
UK Resignation and Reputational Risk
Tulip Siddiq resigned from the UK government after it emerged that she had resided in multiple London properties linked to Sheikh Hasina’s allies.
Sir Laurie Magnus, the UK’s Independent Advisor on Ministerial Standards, investigated the matter and found no breach of conduct but warned of “regrettable” oversight regarding potential reputational risks tied to her family connections.
Siddiq said she stepped down to avoid becoming a distraction to government work.
The Labour Party and the ACC have been approached for comment.
