Bangladeshi authorities have uncovered evidence suggesting that British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq holds both a Bangladeshi passport and national identity card, contradicting her earlier statements denying such claims.
She is a niece of Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
Documents obtained by British daily newspaper The Times, and Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, show that Siddiq was issued a Bangladeshi passport in London in September 2001 when she was 19 years old, and a national identity card in January 2011.
Both records were discovered in official databases, including Bangladesh’s passport and Election Commission records.
According to the passport database, Siddiq applied for a renewal of her passport in January 2011 at the Agargaon passport office in Dhaka. Entries from the Election Commission confirm her national identity and passport numbers, showing she also holds a registered voter ID.
The documents list Siddiq’s permanent address as a residence in Dhaka, owned by her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the former Bangladesh prime minister. The revelation has stirred significant controversy, especially since Siddiq, who was born in Britain to Bangladeshi parents, has previously distanced herself from Bangladeshi nationality.
Siddiq, 43, was forced to step down as anti-corruption minister in January following an investigation into her family’s connections with Bangladesh’s former regime. The investigation suggested that these links posed reputational risks to the British government.
Siddiq’s lawyers have denied the validity of these documents. A spokesman for her legal team described the documents as “fabricated,” claiming they were part of a politically motivated smear campaign by Bangladeshi authorities.
“This is an attempt to damage her reputation and credibility,” the spokesperson stated.
Under Bangladeshi law, both a passport and national identity card are issued only to citizens, which Siddiq, as a dual citizen, is entitled to hold. Despite this, she has publicly denied any Bangladeshi ties, stating in 2017, “I am British, not Bangladeshi.”
Siddiq is currently facing trial in absentia in Bangladesh, accused of using her influence to secure government land for her family. She maintains that the case against her is politically motivated and denies all allegations.
Prosecutors for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have insisted that Siddiq’s citizenship is legitimate, citing the newly uncovered documents.
Muhammad Tariqul Islam, the ACC’s lead prosecutor, emphasised that Siddiq is being tried as a Bangladeshi citizen, as verified by the records of her passport and national ID.
Bangladeshi officials have confirmed the authenticity of the documents, with Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed corroborating the findings. He also revealed that Siddiq’s national identity account, along with those of other relatives of Sheikh Hasina, had been “locked” in February.
Siddiq’s 2011 national ID and passport renewals coincide with her visit to Bangladesh that same year, during which she attended official functions, including a meeting between Prime Minister Hasina and the Malaysian first lady.
Reports from that time confirm her presence at a symposium in Dhaka on January 18 and a meeting two days later, further linking her to the country.
Siddiq, who also served on Hasina’s delegation to the UN General Assembly in 2011, has been under scrutiny for her ties to Bangladesh’s ruling party, the Awami League.
She faced criticism for her connection to a £650,000 flat in London, which was eventually revealed to have been purchased by Abdul Motalif, a developer with ties to the Awami League.
Siddiq resigned from her ministerial position earlier this year, citing the distraction caused by the ongoing controversy. Despite her resignation, she remains confident in her eventual return to a ministerial role.
Siddiq insists that she is “collateral damage” in a wider political struggle within Bangladesh.
Her lawyer’s spokesperson added that the evidence against Siddiq is fabricated and politically charged, emphasizing that she has always maintained her innocence and will respond to any valid evidence presented.
In the meantime, Siddiq continues to reject the charges and has yet to hear directly from the Bangladeshi authorities. Her legal team remains firm in their stance that the accusations are baseless, and she has committed to cooperating with any credible investigation.
