MP Apsana Begum and Ex-Husband in Public Spat

Independent MP Apsana Begum broke down in tears this week as she delivered a powerful and emotional speech in the House of Commons, detailing the alleged abuse and ongoing harassment she has faced from her ex-husband, Ehtashamul Haque. The former Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse used her platform to call for a debate on a "duty of care" for employers and political parties to protect domestic abuse survivors, Daily Dazzling Dawn realized. A decade after their divorce, the MP's recent parliamentary speech has reignited a fresh debate about the matter within the British-Bangladeshi community.

The MP’s tearful address has put a spotlight on the controversial relationship between the two former partners, who have both been prominent figures in London's Bangladeshi-majority East End. It remains unknown whether they will run again in the next election for the same constituency, though it is understood they may both be running for new parties in two different countries.

Ms. Begum, who lost the Labour whip last year, spoke during business questions, stating that her former partner had waged a "campaign" of harassment against her. She revealed that he had even stood against her as an independent candidate in her constituency, with the stated aim of "exposing" her. "I continue to endure this on an ongoing basis, alongside the relentless attempts to unjustly remove me as an MP by a clique of his associates," Ms. Begum said, her voice visibly emotional. She described the impact as "devastating" and the "institutional gaslighting" as "incredibly chilling."

Her ex-husband, Ehtashamul Haque, has previously denied all allegations of abuse. At the time of his candidacy, he said, "I have no personal animosity towards Apsana. I respect her as my former wife. But there is no law that says because my ex-wife is the MP for my constituency, I, as a former councilor and political activist, cannot talk about the politics there or run for election."

In the UK election last year on July 4, Apsana Begum, then an MP for the Labour Party, faced an independent challenge from her former husband, who had previously lost an election for a ward councilor position. In that election, Apsana Begum received 18,535 votes for the Labour Party, while the independent Ehtashamul Haque received 4,554 votes. His decision to run was met with mixed reactions, with many of Apsana's supporters claiming his candidacy was purely to oppose her, as he had no realistic chance of winning. Ehtasham's current wife, a former Labour Party councilor, recently resigned from the party and joined the party of Tower Hamlets Mayor, Lutfur Rahman.

The British Bangladeshi and Sylheti couple's past is well-known. Their marriage, in 2013, and subsequent events led to court proceedings. Both hail from Jagannathpur Upazila in Sunamganj. They divorced in 2015. In a post on Twitter (now X) in 2020, Apsana alleged she was a victim of domestic abuse, coercive control, and financial abuse. After being elected as an MP, Apsana served as the chair of the British Parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Domestic Violence and Abuse. In 2020, Apsana was charged with fraud related to three incidents that occurred between 2013 and 2016. However, on July 30, 2021, the court acquitted her of all charges. She has claimed these charges were part of a malicious campaign linked to her ex-husband.

The two former partners are now on different political paths. Apsana, who is a close confidante of Jeremy Corbyn, is rumored to be contesting the upcoming election for a new party led by him. Meanwhile, her former husband, Ehtashamul Haque, has joined the newly formed NCP party following the recent change in government in Bangladesh. He has stated that he does not want to become an MP but rather aims to organize a political party. His immediate reaction to his former wife's most recent statement in Parliament was not available.

Apsana Begum's speech resonated across the chamber, with other MPs, including Labour's Stella Creasy, offering comfort. Commons Leader Lucy Powell praised Ms. Begum's bravery and confirmed an upcoming Elections Bill would address candidate suitability and behavior. Her speech has brought the issue of post-separation harassment and the duty of care for those in public life to the forefront of political discussion, highlighting the challenges faced by survivors even after leaving an abusive relationship.