Leading lawyers condemn ‘contrived and unfair’ Bangladesh trial of former UK Minister Tulip Siddiq

Melbourne 3 November 2025: Leading British lawyers, including a former UK justice secretary and attorney general, have strongly condemned the ongoing trial in Bangladesh of former UK City minister Tulip Siddiq, describing the proceedings as “contrived and unfair” ahead of the verdict expected on Thursday.

Siddiq, who stepped down from her UK ministerial role in January, is being tried in absentia in Dhaka, where prosecutors are reportedly seeking a maximum life sentence. She has consistently stated that she has never been informed of the specific allegations made against her, nor provided with any official documentation outlining the charges.

A sitting Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate, Siddiq is also the niece of Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was herself handed a death sentence last week on charges relating to the government’s actions during last year’s student-led protest movement. Siddiq’s supporters argue that her association with Hasina has placed her at the centre of a politically motivated judicial process.

Senior UK Lawyers Raise Concerns

In a letter addressed to Abida Islam, the Bangladesh high commissioner in London, prominent legal figures including Sir Robert Buckland KC and Dominic Grieve, both former Conservative cabinet ministers, expressed grave concern over the treatment Siddiq has received. They argue that the entire legal process in Bangladesh has unfolded without even the most basic procedural safeguards. According to their intervention, Siddiq has never been informed of the charges against her, has not been given any opportunity to defend herself, and has been unable to access legal representation throughout the proceedings. The lawyers described the trial as fundamentally flawed, lacking transparency, and in conflict with accepted international standards of justice.

Labour Party: ‘We Cannot Recognise This Judgment’

In response to growing scrutiny, a Labour Party spokesperson said the party and its elected representatives take the rule of law “incredibly seriously” and emphasised that Siddiq has been deprived of fundamental legal protections. The spokesperson noted that highly respected senior lawyers have already confirmed that Siddiq has had no access to a fair legal process and has never been informed about the details of the charges, despite repeated attempts by her legal team to obtain information from Bangladeshi authorities. They added that any person facing allegations has the right to make legal representations and to defend themselves, and that this right has not been granted to Siddiq. For these reasons, the Labour Party stated that it “cannot recognise this judgment”.

The UK lawyers say: “We find it difficult to see how such widespread media engagement by those in power, accusing Ms Siddiq of criminal wrongdoing, can be consistent with a fair and impartial trial free from interference.

“Given all of the circumstances, we have serious concerns that the trial of Ms Siddiq in absentia is unfair, that she does not have a proper opportunity of defending herself, or indeed any opportunity at all, that she is being tried in her absence without justification and that the proceedings fall far short of standards of fairness recognised internationally.”

Concerns Over Political Motivation

The case against Siddiq has drawn intense attention partly because it comes at a time of heightened political tension in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina’s recent death sentence has already alarmed international observers, and Siddiq’s trial is being viewed by many as part of a broader campaign targeting political opponents and their families. The absence of due process, combined with the secrecy surrounding the charges, has led human rights advocates and legal experts to question the legitimacy of the proceedings.

Labour Membership Remains Intact

It is understood that questions regarding Siddiq’s Labour Party membership have been reviewed internally in accordance with party rules. However, because of substantial concerns about the fairness and integrity of the Bangladeshi judicial process, Siddiq has not been subjected to any party investigation or disciplinary measures. She continues to hold full Labour Party membership and retains the Labour whip in the House of Commons.

Senior Legal View on the Trial

Sources familiar with the matter note that several high-profile British legal authorities, including Sir Robert Buckland KC and Dominic Grieve, have concluded that the trial lacks the fundamental characteristics of a lawful judicial process. They argue that Siddiq has never been informed of the nature of the charges brought against her and has had no chance to defend herself through recognised legal channels. This assessment aligns with reports published in The Guardian, which highlighted that Siddiq’s trial appears to follow a pattern of politically influenced prosecutions in Bangladesh.