British Lawyers Criticise Judicial Process Against Tulip Siddiq

A group of prominent British lawyers has voiced serious concerns over the ongoing trial of former UK City Minister Tulip Siddiq in Bangladesh. The group includes high-profile figures such as Robert Buckland QC, a former Justice Minister under the Conservative government, and former Attorney General Dominic Grieve. Ahead of the verdict, scheduled for 1 December, they wrote to Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in the UK to express their position.

The verdict will be delivered in Siddiq’s absence, as she resigned from her ministerial post in January this year amid allegations of misconduct. The prosecution has reportedly sought the maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Siddiq, the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate, is also the daughter of Sheikh Rehana, sister of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Last week, the International Criminal Tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity relating to the July–August 2024 student and public protests.

In their letter, the British lawyers alleged that Siddiq’s fundamental rights have not been upheld during the trial. They claim she was not properly informed of the charges against her, nor was she given adequate legal representation. The group includes distinguished barristers such as Cherie Blair QC, Philip Sands QC, and Geoffrey Robertson QC, who described the trial process as “artificial, orchestrated and unfair.”

Since August last year, multiple members of Siddiq’s family—including her mother, uncle, and siblings—have faced trial in Dhaka. The accusations against Siddiq centre on exerting influence to secure a land plot for her mother, a claim she denies, describing it as politically motivated.

The lawyers emphasised that Siddiq, as a British citizen and elected Member of Parliament, is not a fugitive and could be extradited to Bangladesh to face charges if legal procedures are properly followed. They urged the Bangladeshi authorities to address these concerns and ensure justice is carried out transparently.