A British Member of Parliament has been handed a prison sentence by a court in Bangladesh following a trial conducted in her absence. Tulip Siddiq, the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate, received a two-year sentence on corruption charges related to a government land project.
The Court's Ruling and Sentences
The Dhaka Special Judge’s Court delivered its verdict on Sunday, 1st December 2025. Judge Rabiul Alam found Siddiq guilty of corruptly influencing her aunt, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to help her mother obtain a plot of land. Siddiq was not present for the proceedings and has consistently denied all allegations against her.
The court imposed a five-year prison term on Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in exile in India since being ousted from power last year. Siddiq's mother, Sheikh Rehana, was identified as the prime participant in the case and received the longest sentence of seven years in jail. All trials were conducted in absentia.
Political Context and Outstanding Charges
This case is deeply entwined with Bangladesh's turbulent political landscape. Sheikh Hasina, Siddiq's aunt, was removed from office following a mass uprising in 2024. The legal actions against her and her family are viewed by many observers as politically motivated.
For Tulip Siddiq, this verdict is not an isolated legal challenge. The London MP continues to face a number of other outstanding charges in Bangladesh. These proceedings add a complex international dimension to her role as a sitting UK parliamentarian representing a North London constituency.
Implications and Next Steps
The sentencing of a sitting British MP by a foreign court is a highly unusual event with significant diplomatic and political ramifications. It raises immediate questions about the UK government's stance and any potential consular assistance for Siddiq.
Given that the trial was held in absentia and the sentences are unlikely to be enforceable while the individuals remain outside Bangladesh, the practical consequences are currently limited. However, the verdict severely complicates Siddiq's and her family's ability to travel to Bangladesh and casts a long shadow over her political career. The case is expected to prompt discussions in Westminster about the intersection of international law and the rights of elected UK officials.
