Tulip Siddiq, a UK MP and niece of Bangladesh’s PM, denies allegations of financial misconduct connected to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Her legal team calls the claims baseless and part of a smear campaign, while the ACC asserts they are based on documentary evidence. The situation raises significant concerns regarding political integrity in Bangladesh.
Tulip Siddiq, a former UK Labour minister and niece of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has accused Bangladeshi authorities of initiating a “targeted and baseless” campaign against her. Siddiq urged for an immediate cessation of damaging allegations regarding purported financial irregularities related to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, developed in collaboration with Russia.
Siddiq’s legal counsel, from the firm Stephenson Harwood, emphasized her lack of involvement in the nuclear deal, despite photographs of her at a signing ceremony in 2013. They stated, “It is not uncommon for family members to be invited to accompany Heads of State on state visits.” Furthermore, they rejected claims pertaining to a £700,000 gift of a flat in King’s Cross, London, stating that it was acquired a decade prior to any deal being made.
Siddiq, whose parents have notable ties to Bangladesh and the UK, resigned from her position as economic secretary to the Treasury in January, where she addressed corruption in the UK’s financial sector. Meanwhile, Mohammad Abdul Momen, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), countered her assertions, stating that their investigation was based on credible evidence.
The controversy escalated following comments from the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, suggesting Siddiq’s potential involvement in embezzlement regarding the power plant. These comments indicated the ACC was seriously investigating her financial matters and alluded to substantial wealth supposedly remaining in Bangladesh for scrutiny.
Siddiq’s legal representatives denounced the allegations, asserting that no case exists against her and that the notion of her summons to Bangladesh is “completely unjustified.” They dismissed the claims as false and indicative of a smear campaign against her. The allegations reportedly originated from a media note by the ACC in February 2025, which indicated $5 billion in financial irregularities within the nuclear project, implicating Siddiq along with prominent political figures.
In summary, Tulip Siddiq, a Member of Parliament in the UK, denies allegations of corruption related to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Her legal team insists there is no evidence to support the claims made against her, attributing them to a malicious campaign intended to tarnish her reputation. The controversy highlights ongoing political tensions and challenges in Bangladesh’s governance and its perception internationally.
Original Source: www.newindianexpress.com
