Former British Labour Minister Tulip Siddiq has strongly refuted allegations of corruption made by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), describing the charges as "baseless" and a targeted campaign aimed at tarnishing her reputation.
The ACC has been investigating allegations linked to a nuclear power project in Bangladesh, but Siddiq claims the accusations are nothing but a means of harassment.
In a letter sent to the ACC, Siddiq`s lawyers stated that the accusations are "false and harassment-based" and that she was never formally informed of these charges, despite the details being published in the media.
The British news outlet BBC first reported on the letter, where Siddiq`s legal team argued that the allegations have no merit and were never officially communicated to her.
The controversy surfaced in January when Tulip Siddiq’s name was mentioned in a corruption investigation related to Bangladesh’s nuclear power project.
The ACC is investigating claims that nearly $5 billion was misappropriated from the project.
The complaint, filed by political rival Bobby Hajjaj, alleges Siddiq played a role in inflating the project costs during a deal with Russia in 2013.
ACC`s Response
ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen, responding to Siddiq’s remarks, told the BBC that the investigation is not "targeted or baseless" and is supported by documentary evidence.
He further stated that Siddiq cannot avoid the judicial process and is welcome to come to Bangladesh to legally defend her position if she wishes.
"Our media briefings are conducted professionally and without any political agenda," Momen added.
Siddiq’s lawyers, however, have rejected the claims, stating in the letter that she had no involvement in the nuclear project and that the image of her attending a signing ceremony with Sheikh Hasina and Vladimir Putin in 2013 does not prove her involvement.
According to Siddiq, she knew nothing about any financial irregularities, claiming,
“It is not uncommon for family members to be invited on state visits by heads of government.”
BBC`s Report
The BBC report also highlighted that Siddiq, who resigned as the UK Treasury Minister earlier in January, had previously requested an investigation into the matter by Sir Laurie Magnus, the British Prime Minister’s Adviser on Ethics.
In his report, Magnus found no evidence of misconduct but noted that Siddiq could have been more cautious given her familial ties to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as it posed potential "reputational risks."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accepted Siddiq’s resignation but remarked that “the door is always open for her return.”
Legal Battles and Personal Defense
Siddiq`s lawyers have emphasized that allegations surrounding a 2004 property transaction in London’s King’s Cross area are "ridiculous" and unrelated to the nuclear project.
The claim is that a £700,000 flat given to Siddiq came from corruption-linked funds, which the letter firmly denies, citing that the event occurred a decade before the nuclear project deal.
In his investigation, Sir Laurie Magnus clarified that Siddiq had initially believed her parents had purchased the King’s Cross flat.
However, after becoming a government minister, she had to correct this information. Magnus described the misunderstanding as “unfortunate” and noted that it inadvertently misled the public.
The letter sent to the ACC also identified Abdul Motalib, described as a close family friend and “like a godfather” to Siddiq, as the person who had gifted her the flat.
Political Intrigue
Tulip Siddiq has accused Bangladesh’s ACC of interfering in UK politics through its media briefings, calling the investigation an "unacceptable interference" in British political matters.
Her lawyers have demanded the ACC immediately stop making what they call “false and harassment-driven” allegations and to cease public comments on the case.
They have also requested that the ACC send any formal questions to Siddiq by March 25, warning that failure to do so would indicate that there are no valid claims against her.
In response, the ACC has confirmed that it has already replied to Siddiq’s legal team.
A spokesperson told the BBC that Siddiq has “spent most of her adult life living in homes owned by corrupt associates of the Awami League” and benefited from the party’s corruption.
The ACC spokesperson also dismissed Siddiq’s claims of ignorance regarding the nature of Sheikh Hasina`s government, indicating that they would continue communication with her legal representatives.
Background of the Allegations
The investigation centers on accusations that Sheikh Hasina and her family members misappropriated around $5 billion from the nuclear power project.
While Siddiq denies any involvement in the project, her proximity to the ruling Awami League and its top figures has drawn scrutiny.
Despite the controversy, Siddiq maintains that she has done nothing wrong, stating her resignation from the UK Treasury was to prevent unnecessary distractions for the government, rather than an admission of guilt.
The ACC investigation continues, but the battle between Tulip Siddiq and the Bangladeshi authorities remains heated as both sides exchange allegations.
The case has attracted international attention, especially due to Siddiq’s role as a former UK minister and her family ties to Bangladesh’s political elite.
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