Former UK minister Tulip Siddiq campaigns for Labour’s by-election candidate Karen Shore in Runcorn and Helsby while battling arrest warrant from Bangladesh

Former minister Tulip Siddiq has been actively campaigning for Labour in Runcorn and Helsby ahead of this week’s by-election, despite facing serious legal challenges.

On Monday, the MP for Hampstead and Highgate focused her efforts on rallying local support for Labour’s candidate, Karen Shore, as the Cheshire seat prepares for Thursday’s vote.

Siddiq made the journey north to support Shore, who is hoping to secure the seat left vacant after the resignation of former MP Mike Amesbury.

Legal Challenges and Arrest Warrant

As Siddiq worked on the campaign trail, she continued to face scrutiny in Bangladesh.

The country’s Anti-Corruption Commission has issued an arrest warrant against her, alleging that she unlawfully received land in the capital, Dhaka.

Siddiq has vehemently denied the claims, describing them as part of a “politically motivated smear campaign.”

She has also insisted that no evidence has been provided to support the allegations, distancing herself from the controversy and claiming that it is all an attempt to tarnish her reputation.

These allegations come at a time when Siddiq is already embroiled in another probe involving her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Siddiq has been named in a separate investigation related to a nuclear power plant deal, though she maintains that these issues are unrelated.

Resignation from Treasury Role

Earlier this year, Siddiq stepped down from her position as a Treasury minister following an investigation led by Sir Keir Starmer’s ethics adviser.

The investigation examined her connections to her aunt’s regime, but Sir Laurie Magnus, who conducted the inquiry, concluded that she had not violated ministerial rules.

Nevertheless, he recommended that the Prime Minister reconsider Siddiq’s ministerial responsibilities.

Siddiq chose to resign, citing that her continued role had become a distraction to the Government’s work.

Campaigning for Change

Despite the ongoing controversy, Siddiq remained focused on her Labour campaign in Runcorn and Helsby.

On social media, she shared her support for Shore, describing her as a candidate with deep public service values due to her background as a teacher and councillor.

Siddiq urged voters to back Shore, emphasizing that she was the only candidate who could bring about the change local residents had voted for in last year’s election.

Criticism from Reform UK

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has faced mockery from Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, for not participating in the campaign for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

Reform UK is currently the bookies’ favorite to win the seat, which was once considered a Labour stronghold.

A Smear Campaign or Political Strategy?

In the face of the arrest warrant, Siddiq has been vocal about the lack of communication from Bangladeshi authorities, stating that her lawyers had reached out to them without receiving a response.

She criticized the media trial she has faced, reiterating that there is no substantive evidence to back up the allegations against her.

Siddiq remains firm in her stance, calling the accusations a politically motivated attempt to harass her, while continuing to focus on her political efforts in the UK.

So, what’s next for Tulip Siddiq? As the by-election looms, it remains to be seen how both her campaign and the legal issues will evolve in the coming days.