Ex-minister Tulip Siddiq has been actively campaigning in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency ahead of the crucial by-election scheduled for Thursday, despite facing an ongoing legal challenge involving an arrest warrant from Bangladesh. The former City minister, who currently represents Hampstead and Highgate as an MP, travelled north to support Labour’s candidate, Karen Shore, in the Cheshire seat.
Ms Siddiq spent Monday engaging with local residents to encourage support for Ms Shore, a former teacher and current councillor described by Ms Siddiq as someone with "public service in her bones." On social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ms Siddiq posted: "Great to be in Runcorn and Helsby today, campaigning for the fab Labour candidate Karen Shore. Karen is the only candidate who can help deliver the change local people voted for last July. Vote for her on May 1st."
The by-election follows the resignation of the former Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, Mike Amesbury, who left his seat after being jailed for assaulting a constituent. The contest has attracted considerable attention, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage mocking Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for his absence from the campaign trail. Reform UK is currently the bookmakers’ favourite to claim the seat, which had previously been considered a safe Labour constituency.
The legal issue for Ms Siddiq relates to allegations by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission that she illegally received land in Dhaka, the country’s capital. The commission is reportedly seeking an arrest warrant, though no formal contact has been made with Ms Siddiq by Bangladeshi authorities. She categorically denies the allegations, describing the claims as a "politically motivated smear campaign" and asserting there is "no evidence that I’ve done anything wrong."
Ms Siddiq also noted to the press that: "No-one from the Bangladeshi authorities has contacted me. The entire time they’ve done trial by media. My lawyers proactively wrote to the Bangladeshi authorities, they never responded. I’m sure you’ll understand I can’t dignify this politically motivated smear campaign with any… comments."
These charges are reported to be separate from an investigation involving Ms Siddiq’s aunt, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, concerning a nuclear power plant deal. Ms Siddiq herself has also been named in that probe. Earlier this year, Ms Siddiq stepped down from her position as a Treasury minister following an ethics investigation led by Sir Keir Starmer’s adviser. Although Sir Laurie Magnus found no breach of ministerial rules on her part, he suggested the Prime Minister reconsider her ministerial responsibilities. Ms Siddiq subsequently resigned, citing that her presence had become "a distraction" from the Government’s wider agenda.
Archival footage from 2013, shared in public records, shows Ms Siddiq attending a ceremonial signing of a deal between Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, highlighting her familial ties to the former Bangladeshi prime minister.
The Daily Mail is reporting these developments as the Labour Party seeks to retain the Runcorn and Helsby seat in a closely watched electoral battle.
Source: Noah Wire Services