Tulip Siddiq Enjoyed Cricket World Cup Matches with an Awami League MP for Free

 Tulip Siddiq Enjoyed Cricket World Cup Matches with an Awami League MP for Free

Tulip Siddiq, a UK Minister and Labour Party member, reportedly attended two matches of the 2019 Cricket World Cup for free. She was accompanied by her siblings and Kazi Nabil Ahmed, an Awami League MP at the time.

The UK-based newspaper The Telegraph reported this on Saturday, January 11. Tulip Siddiq, currently serving as the UK Economic Secretary to the Treasury, is responsible for combating financial corruption in the country. She is the daughter of Sheikh Rehana, the sister of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister and Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina.

During the 2019 Cricket World Cup, held in the UK, Tulip was photographed as a spectator at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Alongside her were her siblings and Kazi Nabil Ahmed, who was an Awami League MP from 2014 to 2024. Reports suggest that Nabil fled Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, following allegations of oppression against political opponents and extrajudicial actions during her tenure.

Match Attendance Details

According to official records cited by The Telegraph, Tulip attended two World Cup matches, including Bangladesh’s games against New Zealand at The Oval on June 5 and against Pakistan at Lord’s a month later. The tickets for each match, including lunch, were priced at £358.80 (around 53,000 Bangladeshi Taka), but Tulip did not pay for them.

Political Ties and Controversy

The Telegraph also highlighted previous reports of Awami League UK chapter members campaigning for Labour Party candidates, including then-leader Keir Starmer, during the 2019 UK general election. Additionally, there have been allegations of Tulip residing in properties linked to Awami League associates, which have intensified calls for her resignation from the cabinet.

Corruption Investigations

In Bangladesh, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption worth Tk 80,000 crore across nine projects. Tulip, along with her aunt Sheikh Hasina, mother Sheikh Rehana, and cousin Sajeeb Wazed, are reportedly under scrutiny. The investigation began last month. Tulip, however, has denied all allegations of corruption.