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Former UK Treasury minister and Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has received a second prison sentence from a Bangladeshi court, deepening a legal dispute that has drawn strong criticism from the Labour Party. The court sentenced Siddiq to four years in jail on corruption charges. This punishment adds to a previous two year sentence handed down late last year. Judges also sentenced her aunt, former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, along with two other family members, in separate corruption cases. The court tried all defendants in absentia. Each of them denied the accusations. Labour Party condemns legal process Labour leaders quickly rejected the ruling and questioned the fairness of the trial. A party spokesperson said Siddiq never received proper details of the charges and had no chance to defend herself. According to Labour, Siddiq’s legal team made repeated requests to Bangladeshi authorities for information. Officials did not respond. The party stressed that every accused person deserves the right to legal representation. Because of these failures, Labour said it cannot accept the judgment. Background of earlier conviction In December 2025, a Bangladeshi court convicted Siddiq in another corruption case. Judges ruled that she influenced her aunt to use special executive powers to secure land on the outskirts of Dhaka. That conviction resulted in a two year prison sentence. Siddiq strongly rejected the ruling and described the entire process as deeply flawed. She said she remains confused by the case and claims Bangladeshi authorities have never contacted her directly, despite making allegations for more than a year. Resignation from UK government role Questions about Siddiq’s links to Sheikh Hasina led to her resignation from the UK government in January 2025. She stepped down as a Treasury minister after scrutiny over her use of London properties linked to allies of her aunt. The prime minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, reviewed the matter. He found no evidence of wrongdoing but said Siddiq should have shown greater awareness of reputational risks. In her resignation letter, Siddiq said she acted transparently but chose to step aside to avoid distracting the government. Political turmoil in Bangladesh Bangladesh launched the cases against Hasina and her family after her removal from power. Hasina ruled the country for 15 years before mass protests forced her out in August 2024. She later fled to India. In a separate case last year, a court sentenced her to death over crimes against humanity linked to a violent crackdown on student demonstrations.
Entertainment

Tulip Siddiq Given Second Bangladesh Jail Sentence as Labour Rejects Verdict

Former UK Treasury minister and Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has received a…

Church Fresco Resembling Giorgia Meloni Triggers Vatican Action
Entertainment

Church Fresco Resembling Giorgia Meloni Triggers Vatican Action

A restored church fresco in central Rome has stirred public debate after…

Claire Foy Reveals Five Year Parasite Battle After Travel Infection
Entertainment

Claire Foy Reveals Five Year Parasite Battle After Travel Infection

Claire Foy has shared a personal health struggle that lasted years. The…

historic anatomical art and human bodies
Entertainment

The Dark History Behind Anatomical Art and Medicine

For hundreds of years, artists and doctors used real human bodies to…

Greece blames smugglers over migrant deaths but early accounts have been questioned before
Business

Greece Blames Smugglers After Migrant Boat Crash, But Past Cases Raise Doubts

Deadly collision near Chios Strait Greek authorities say smugglers caused the deaths…

Trump signs bill to end shutdown but another budget cliff looms over ICE funding
Business

Trump Signs $1.2 Trillion Budget to End Shutdown as DHS Funding Faces New Deadline

Trump Signs Budget to End Government Shutdown President Donald Trump has signed…

Gold Surges Above $5,000 After US Downs Iranian Drone
BusinessEconomics

Gold Surges Above $5,000 After US Downs Iranian Drone

Gold rebounded above $5,000 per ounce on Wednesday after the US shot…

McCullum Defends Harry Brook, England’s Ashes Squad, and Leadership Approach
Sports

McCullum Defends Harry Brook, England’s Ashes Squad, and Leadership Approach

England head coach Brendon McCullum has defended Harry Brook, his team’s off-field…

John Virgo: Legendary Snooker Player and TV Star Dies at 79
Sports

John Virgo: Legendary Snooker Player and TV Star Dies at 79

From Football Dreams to Snooker Passion John Virgo, the charismatic snooker player…

Crown Princess’s Son Testifies in Oslo Court Marius Borg Høiby, 29, son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, struggled to hold back tears while giving evidence at his rape trial in Oslo. He admitted he led a lifestyle of excessive partying, drugs, and alcohol to cope with a deep need for validation. During his testimony, Høiby appeared visibly shaken, pausing several times to remove his glasses and wipe his eyes. He said it was extremely difficult to speak in court, adding that the media had followed him relentlessly since he was three years old. Allegations of Sexual Assault The trial follows accusations from four women, one of whom claimed she was drugged at a party in December 2018 at Høiby’s parents’ home. She said police later showed her videos allegedly depicting Høiby assaulting her after consensual sex. All women involved in the case are protected by court orders, which ban media from revealing their identities. The court has also prohibited photos of Høiby inside the courthouse or while arriving or leaving. Høiby Opens Up About His Lifestyle Høiby told the judges he was primarily known as “Mamma’s son” and that his personal struggles were rarely understood. He admitted to years of substance abuse and attending numerous parties. “I am known for being Mamma’s son. Nothing else,” he said, recounting the pressures of growing up under public scrutiny. Despite bringing notes, he rarely looked down while speaking for half an hour. Background and Arrest Høiby’s trial coincides with scrutiny of his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, for exchanging messages with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The royal palace confirmed she postponed a private trip amid the controversy. Høiby was arrested in August 2024 after a violent incident at his girlfriend’s flat, where he allegedly threw a knife, damaged property, and abused her verbally. Following a lengthy investigation, he was charged with multiple offences, including rape, assault, threatening behavior, drugs offences, and driving violations. If convicted, he could face at least ten years in prison. Courtroom Appearance On the second day of the trial, Høiby appeared in a dark blue sweater over a beige shirt. He focused on the judges and did not glance at the alleged victims seated nearby. He recounted meeting one of the women at a party in 2018, admitting he had taken cocaine for the first time that night.
News

Son of Norway’s Crown Princess Breaks Down in Court Amid Rape Trial

Crown Princess’s Son Testifies in Oslo Court Marius Borg Høiby, 29, son…

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