Tulip Siddiq, a British-Bangladeshi member of the British Parliament for the Labor Party and formerly a senior anti-corruption minister in Keir Starmer’s government, recently resigned from her ministerial position amid intense scrutiny and public pressure.
The niece of Bangladesh’s former authoritarian Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Siddiq faced widespread media scrutiny in the United Kingdom regarding the sources of funding for two properties linked to associates of the Awami League, the political party led by her aunt in Bangladesh. These properties, gifted in 2004 and 2009, were allegedly acquired over 20 years ago, with one currently owned by Siddiq.
In response to public concerns, Siddiq voluntarily referred herself to the U.K. government’s Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, to address potential conflicts of interest. After the investigation, Sir Laurie concluded that Siddiq had “inadvertently misled” the public regarding a flat gifted to her by an ally of Hasina, but he found no evidence of deliberate wrongdoing. However, the BBC reported criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused the prime minister of delaying action to protect Siddiq.
Around the same time, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused Siddiq and her family of embezzling billions of dollars in connection with the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant deal signed between Bangladesh and Russia in 2013.
Although Siddiq denied involvement, a photograph from the signing ceremony — showing her alongside Hasina, her mother Sheikh Rehana, and other family members with Russian President Vladimir Putin — sparked speculation about her role in the deal.
Iftekharuzzaman, the executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), told The Diplomat that Siddiq’s presence at the signing of the nuclear power deal warrants further investigation, given the allegations of significant kickbacks.
The ACC has filed criminal cases against Siddiq and her family, including allegations of acquiring government land through abuse of power. The investigation extends to Hasina, Rehana, and her siblings, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby and Azmina Siddiq.
Referring to the case, Iftekharuzzaman of TIB believes the allegation indicates stronger evidence of wrongdoing in Tulip’s acquisition of government land alongside her family members, suggesting a “collusive abuse of power.”
Commentators like Salil Tripathi have argued that Siddiq’s case reflects the intersection of British and Bangladeshi politics.
However, it is worth pondering whether the allegations against Siddiq in Bangladesh are politically motivated.
Parallels are being drawn between the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government’s allegations against Siddiq and Hasina’s relentless harassment of Yunus when she was in power. Some believe that if Hasina had remained in power, Yunus would have likely faced imprisonment, making the current scrutiny of Siddiq appear as a retaliatory move during a politically opportune moment.
However, Shafiqul Alam, Yunus’ press secretary, rejected this argument. He told The Diplomat that the investigations into Siddiq are part of routine state procedures following evidence of anomalies. He dismissed claims of political motivation, emphasizing that the relevant institutions are acting on their findings.
Bobby Hajjaj, founder and chairman of the Nationalist Democratic Movement, was among the first to accuse Siddiq of involvement in the nuclear power plant deal. In an interview with The Diplomat, Hajjaj alleged that Siddiq served as a lobbyist to secure international legitimacy for Hasina’s authoritarian rule and acted as a conduit for transferring illicit funds to the United Kingdom. Hajjaj said that investigating Siddiq is critical to exposing Hasina’s alleged crimes and dismantling the networks that facilitated them.
Dismissing concerns about his political motivations, Hajjaj asserted that the overwhelming evidence against Siddiq outweighs any political considerations.
Bangladesh’s ACC has a questionable record. Its functioning in the past was not impartial, raising questions about its credibility. During Hasina’s rule, her regime used the ACC as a political tool to repress the opposition. For example, it carried out a shoddy investigation against Hasina’s rival and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. It also went after Tarique Rahman, BNP’s acting chairman and Zia’s son.
However, anti-corruption experts claim that the ACC is more independent now. According to Iftekharuzzaman, the ACC appears to be serious in pursuing investigations without fear or favor. Nevertheless, its long-term credibility and effectiveness remain uncertain, he said.
In conclusion, Tulip Siddiq’s case encapsulates the intricate intersection of politics, power, and accountability across borders. While the allegations against her raise valid concerns about transparency and ethical governance, they also highlight the complexities of political motivations, especially in the context of Bangladesh’s evolving political climate.
As investigations proceed in Bangladesh, the outcomes will likely influence public perceptions of Siddiq’s political career in the United Kingdom.
