A group of senior British lawyers has expressed deep concern over the fairness of the judicial proceedings against Labour MP and former UK City Minister Tulip Siddiq in Bangladesh. Notable members of the group include Robert Buckland QC, former Justice Minister under Boris Johnson, Dominic Grieve, former Attorney General, Cherie Blair QC, Philip Sands QC, and Geoffrey Robertson QC. The lawyers sent a formal letter to the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in London ahead of the trial’s verdict on 1 December.
According to the letter, Siddiq’s basic legal rights have not been fully respected. She was reportedly not informed of the charges against her and was denied the opportunity to receive proper legal representation during the proceedings. The lawyers described the judicial process as “artificial, staged and unjust,” highlighting serious deficiencies in the handling of the case.
Siddiq, whose family has close ties to Bangladesh’s political elite, is accused of influencing decisions to secure land for her mother, Sheikh Rehana, sister of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She strongly denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated. The trial in Dhaka also involves several of Siddiq’s relatives, including her mother, uncle, and siblings.
The letter further points out that Siddiq resides in the UK, is a sitting Member of Parliament, and is therefore not a fugitive. Extradition could only be considered under proper legal justification, and she could be made to face charges in Bangladesh if all judicial safeguards are respected. The British lawyers called on Bangladeshi authorities to uphold the rule of law, address these concerns, and ensure a fair and transparent judicial process.
The trial and subsequent scrutiny come at a time when Bangladesh’s interim government has emphasised the importance of the rule of law and judicial integrity. Siddiq resigned from her ministerial role in January 2025 amid corruption allegations, which were later investigated by an independent adviser to the UK Prime Minister, Sir Laurie Magnus, who found no wrongdoing on her part.