British MP Tulip sentenced in Bangladesh over corruption. What does her Labour Party say?

It says allegations must allow for a fair defence, which was “missing” for Tulip

The UK’s ruling Labour Party has refused to recognise the Bangladesh court verdict that sentenced British MP Tulip Siddiq in a plot corruption case, saying the process “denied” her basic legal rights.

A spokesperson said the party “takes the rule of law incredibly seriously” and expects elected representatives to fulfil legal responsibilities.

The reaction came after Dhaka’s Fourth Special Judge’s Court sentenced Tulip to two years’ imprisonment, while her mother Sheikh Rehana received seven years and her aunt, the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, received five years.

The case alleged that Rehana obtained a 10-katha (nearly 669 sq m) plot in the Purbachal New Town project by concealing existing property in Dhaka, while Hasina “misused power” to help her secure the allocation.

Tulip, MP for Hampstead and Highgate in London, was accused of “influencing” her aunt to facilitate the plot.

In her immediate reaction, the 43-year old politician told the Guardian: “This whole process has been flawed and farcical from the beginning to the end.

“The outcome of this kangaroo court is as predictable as it is unjustified.”

Later, the Labour Party spokesperson said in a statement: “As has been reported, highly regarded senior legal professionals have highlighted that [Tulip] has not had access to a fair legal process in this case and has never been informed of the details of the charges against her.

“Her legal team repeatedly requested that information from the Bangladeshi authorities but did not receive it. Anyone facing any charge should always be afforded the right to make legal representations when allegations are made.

“Given that has not happened in this case, we cannot recognise this judgment.”

The party said Tulip is not facing any investigation or disciplinary action and continues to hold membership of both the Labour Party and the House of Commons.

Tulip resigned from her position as the UK City minister in January amid criticism over reports that she had received a £700,000 flat in London as a “gift” from a developer allegedly linked to her family and the Awami League.

Her name had previously surfaced in allegations of corruption tied to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project.

Controversy also arose over a flat in Gulshan, which Tulip had transferred to her sister Azmina Siddique Ruponti in 2015. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) claimed the notary used in the transfer was “fake”.

After the last year’s July Uprising toppled the Awami League government, Hasina fled to India with Rehana, while Tulip remained in the UK.

All three were marked as “absconding”, and the trial proceeded without defence lawyers.

Recently, five top UK lawyers sent a letter to the Bangladesh ambassador in London, sharply criticising the legal process.

The letter said Tulip had not been informed of the charges against her or allowed legal representation.

It alleged that a lawyer she had appointed in Bangladesh “had been placed under house arrest and his daughter had faced threats”.