Tulip Siddiq’s Lawyer Labels ACC Allegations as ‘False and Harassing’

Staff Reporter

Stephenson Harwood LLP, the legal representatives of UK Member of Parliament Tulip Siddiq, have sent a strongly worded letter to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh, describing the allegations against their client as “false, harassing, and baseless.”

While the ACC has accused Tulip Siddiq of money laundering and acquiring illegal assets, her lawyers claim that these allegations lack any foundation and were never directly presented to her.

The letter states that Tulip Siddiq is a UK citizen and has been elected as the MP for the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency since 2015. She served as the UK’s Economic Secretary and City Minister from July 9, 2024, to January 14, 2025.

However, she resigned after allegations against her were published in the media through the Bangladesh Chief Advisor and other political figures.

The letter mentions that these allegations were disrupting her important work for the UK government, prompting her resignation.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accepted Tulip’s resignation, stating that independent advisor Sir Laurie Magnus found no evidence of ministerial code violations or financial misconduct. The Prime Minister thanked her for her transparency and cooperation, adding that the door remains open for her in the future.

Tulip’s lawyers claim that neither the ACC nor the Bangladesh government has directly presented any allegations to her. Instead, false information is being disseminated through the media to tarnish her reputation. The letter cites four examples:

1. On February 4, 2025, a Telegraph journalist claimed that Tulip’s London flat purchase was linked to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project.
2. On February 28, 2025, Sky News reported that the Bangladesh Chief Advisor said Tulip should answer questions about her wealth accumulation during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
3. On March 5, 2025, Sky News quoted the Chief Advisor saying the ACC is seriously investigating the matter and that Tulip has significant assets in Bangladesh.
4. On March 13, 2025, the Financial Times reported, based on ACC documents, that Tulip used forged documents to transfer property to her sister.

Tulip has categorically denied these allegations. She stated:
– She was not involved in the Rooppur project in any way and did not benefit from it.
– She accompanied Sheikh Hasina on a Moscow trip in 2013 but did not participate in any formal discussions.
– Her London flat was gifted in 2004, a decade before the Rooppur project.
– She legally transferred her Gulshan property to her sister in 2015, which has no connection to the Purbachal project.

Legal Warning to the ACC
The letter demands that the ACC immediately cease creating “false and harassing” allegations. The lawyers stated that if there are any legitimate questions, they must be sent to them by March 25, 2025. Otherwise, it will be assumed that there are no valid allegations.

Additionally, Tulip’s legal rights have been reserved.

The letter has been sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Chief Advisor, and the Principal Secretary to the Chief Advisor.

Tulip Siddiq’s lawyers claim that the ACC’s allegations are an attempt to interfere in UK politics and damage her reputation. This incident has added a new dimension to the legal and political debate between Bangladesh and the UK.