Legal Heavyweights Voice Alarm Over MP's Bangladeshi Trial
A coalition of distinguished British legal professionals and former cabinet ministers has expressed profound concerns regarding the ongoing trial of Labour MP Tulip Siddiq on corruption charges in Bangladesh.
The warning was delivered in an open letter, hand-delivered to the Bangladeshi High Commission on Monday evening, which argues the proceedings are artificial and a contrived and unfair way of pursuing a prosecution.
Who Has Signed the Letter?
The signatories represent a significant cross-party and legal consensus. They include:
- Cherie Blair, a prominent barrister and wife of former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair.
- Sir Robert Buckland, a former Conservative Justice Secretary.
- Dominic Grieve, a former Tory Attorney General.
- Other high-profile lawyers Philippe Sands and Geoffrey Robertson.
The Allegations and Context
The case against Ms Siddiq stems from accusations made by Bangladesh's anti-corruption commission (ACC). The body claims the MP for Hampstead and Kilburn illegally received a 7,200sq ft plot of land in an upscale diplomatic zone on the outskirts of Dhaka from her aunt, Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina was ousted as the country's prime minister last year and was sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi court earlier this month for crimes against humanity.
Ms Siddiq resigned from her role as city minister following the allegations. While a UK investigation by the prime minister's ethics adviser found no evidence of improprieties, it did state it was regrettable she had not been more alert to the potential reputational risks.
Claims of an Unfair Process
The core of the open letter's argument is that the trial, which began in August, is fundamentally unjust. The lawyers state that Ms Siddiq does not have a proper opportunity of defending herself.
They further contend that she is being tried in her absence without justification and that the legal process falls far short of internationally recognised standards of fairness.
The former minister, who has not attended the trial, has consistently maintained the allegations are vexatious and part of a political smear campaign. With media reports from Bangladesh suggesting a verdict could be delivered in Dhaka within days, the signatories have called on the authorities to ensure all allegations are properly put to Ms Siddiq's lawyers to allow for a fair defence.
The Bangladeshi High Commission has been approached for comment on the matter.
