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Tulip Siddiq has said an anti-corruption trial being held into her conduct in Bangladesh is “nothing more than a farce”.

In a statement, the British MP – whose aunt is the former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina – said the “so-called trial” is “built on fabricated accusations and driven by a clear political vendetta”.

The anti-corruption trial began in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, this morning – though Siddiq is not attending. 

It relates to the claim that she “exerted pressure and influence” on her aunt to get planning officials to appoint them 7,200 sq ft of land.

Responding to the allegations, the former Labour minister said: “Over the past year, the allegations against me have repeatedly shifted, yet I have never been contacted by the Bangladeshi authorities once. 

“I have never received a court summons, no official communication, and no evidence.”

An arrest warrant for Siddiq was allegedly issued by Bangladeshi authorities in April, but the MP said she did not find out about it until seeing reports in the media.

‘Continuing to smear my name to score political points is baseless and damaging’

Siddiq’s statement continues: “If this were a genuine legal process, the authorities would have engaged with me or my legal team, responded to our formal correspondence, and presented the evidence they claim to hold.

“Instead, they have peddled false and vexatious allegations that have been briefed to the media but never formally put to me by investigators.

“Even my offer to meet Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during his recent visit to London was refused. 

“Such conduct is wholly incompatible with the principles of a fair trial that we uphold in the UK.”

She concluded: “I have been clear from the outset that I have done nothing wrong and will respond to any credible evidence that is presented to me. 

“Continuing to smear my name to score political points is both baseless and damaging.”

Bangladeshi authorities: ‘We’re taking due course of action’

Responding to the Labour MP’s new statement, the Bangladeshi authorities highlighted the difference between the British and Bangladeshi legal system.

This includes Siddiq only being able to receive a court summons if she returns to Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi prosecutor Mohammad Sultan Mahmud told Sky News: “Our investigation team wants to work with her. She is welcome in Bangladesh, and we want to communicate with her via the court. 

“If she surrenders, we can talk to her directly. “

Mahmud said that Siddiq “misused her powers via her aunt Sheikh Hasina and got the plots without the due process of law” and insists that Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is “just taking the due course of action”. 

He added: “Hopefully, we will have more cases in the future with stronger evidence. The ACC has a lot of evidence and will be filing the investigation report soon.”