Labour MP Tulip Siddiq handed two year prison term in Bangladesh over corruption charges

Ms Siddiq was sentenced to 24 months behind bars over claims of corruption, with a court in Bangladesh finding her guilty in absentia.

Ms Siddiq was put on trial alongside 16 other people over corruption allegations, with the sitting MP for Hampstead and Highgate denying all charges after being accused of an "abuse of power and influence".

In August, Ms Siddiq branded the trial a "farce" after she was accused of obtaining plots of land from her aunt, the country's former prime minister.

Ms Siddiq is the niece of exiled former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from power last year following an uprising.

It is understood that senior legal professionals advising on the case, including Robert Buckland KC and former Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, have said that this “trial” has been unfair.

Tulip Siddiq has never been informed of the charges against her, according to sources, with spokespeople for the MP insisting she been able to defend herself via legal representation during the Bangladeshi trial.

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The ex-Labour minister stepped down in January amid controversy over her alleged involvement in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia.

It's but the latest blow for Labour, who had previously distanced themselves from the claims made about the MP.

In response to the verdict, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party and all our elected representatives take the rule of law incredibly seriously and will always fulfil our legal responsibilities.

"As has been reported, highly regarded senior legal professionals have highlighted that Tulip Siddiq 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.

"This is despite repeated requests made to the Bangladeshi authorities through her legal team. Anyone facing any charge should always be afforded the right to make legal representations when allegations are made against them.

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

The trial relates to land that is said to be located in Dhaka's diplomatic zone, with the court hearing claims that the MP used her position to aid in the land's acquisition.

After Hasina's regime was toppled, prosecutors in Bangladesh launched a string of wide-ranging legal cases against the former leader - including business associates and family members.

Accusing prosecutors of being "driven by a clear political vendetta", Ms Siddiq, who is based in London, is not expected to serve the sentence.

No extradition treaty is currently in place between the UK and Bangladesh.

In an earlier statement issued in April, Ms Siddiq's lawyers said: "The ACC has made various allegations against Ms Siddiq through the media in the last few months. The allegations are completely false and have been dealt with in writing by Ms Siddiq's lawyers.

"The ACC has not responded to Ms Siddiq or put any allegations to her directly or through her lawyers. Ms Siddiq knows nothing about a hearing in Dhaka relating to her and she has no knowledge of any arrest warrant that is said to have been issued.

"To be clear, there is no basis at all for any charges to be made against her, and there is absolutely no truth in any allegation that she received a plot of land in Dhaka through illegal means.

"She has never had a plot of land in Bangladesh, and she has never influenced any allocation of plots of land to her family members or anyone else.

"No evidence has been provided by the ACC to support this or any other allegation made against Ms Siddiq, and it is clear to us that the charges are politically motivated."

LBC has reached out to Labour and Ms Siddiq for comment.

More to follow.