Sky News drew to an abrupt halt this morning.
This is a breaking news story (Image: EXPRESS)
Sky News was halted for a breaking announcement this morning in a humiliating blow for the Labour Party. The broadcast was halted as correspondent Cordelia Lynch revealed Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has been sentenced to two years in prison in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reporting outside of the court, in Dhaka, Lynch explained: “Yes, it was a very packed court as [people were waiting] for the verdict in this corruption case involving Labour MP Tulip Siddiq.
“The judge has sentenced her to two years in absentia, and he’s also ordered her to pay around £600. If she doesn’t do that, she will be sentenced to a further six months in prison.”
Tulip Siddiq has been sentenced in Bangladesh (Image: Getty)
The politician was found guilty of influencing her aunt, Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to secure land for her family on the outskirts of Dhaka. She strongly denies this claim.
Siddiq said the “whole process has been flawed and farcical from the beginning to the end”.
“The outcome of this kangaroo court is as predictable as it is unjustified,” she expanded. “I hope this so-called ‘verdict’ will be treated with the contempt it deserves.
“My focus has always been my constituents in Hampstead and Highgate, and I refuse to be distracted by the dirty politics of Bangladesh.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said following the sentencing: “The Labour Party and all our elected representatives take the rule of law incredibly seriously and will always fulfil our legal responsibilities. As has been reported, highly regarded senior legal professionals have highlighted that Tulip Siddiq has not had access to a fair legal process in this case and has never been informed of the details of the charges against her.
“This is despite repeated requests made to the Bangladeshi authorities through her legal team. Anyone facing any charge should always be afforded the right to make legal representations when allegations are made against them.
“Given that has not happened in this case, we cannot recognise this judgment.”
