Tulip Siddiq has quit Labour’s frontbench over her alleged links to the Bangladeshi government, although she claimed that there was “no evidence to suggest” that she acted improperly.
The MP for Hampstead and Highgate has stepped down from her post as Treasury Economic Secretary, which involved tackling corruption in British financial markets following a series of allegations regarding corruption.
In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, Siddiq said that although she had “not breached the ministerial code”, her continuation in her role as the anti-corruption minister would be “a distraction from the work of the Government”.
In response to her letter of resignation, Starmer said that he accepted her decision “with sadness”, writing: “I also wish to be clear that Sir Laurie Magnus as Independent Adviser has assured me he found no breach of the ministerial code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part.”
Tulip Siddiq has resigned
PA
He also lauded the ex-minister for making the “difficult decision” to step down, declaring that the “door remains open” for Siddiq in the future.
Over the past few weeks, the former Cabinet minister has faced significant scrutiny over allegations regarding her living at a number of properties linked to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted as the prime minister of Bangladesh last summer.
It has also been alleged that she resided in properties connected to Hasina’s allies.
Last week, Siddiq referred herself to the PM’s ethics watchdog as a result of the series of allegations against her.
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Another set of allegations claimed that her family embezzled up to £3.9billion from infrastructure spending in Bangladesh.
Siddiq’s aunt was ousted from political office in Bangladesh last August after a mass uprising against her political rule – after which she fled to India.
The Labour MP was also named with Hasina in Bangladeshi court documents regarding meetings with the Russian government.
Although she was previously due to attend a delegation to China, she remained in the UK to attempt to clear any allegations that had been made against her.
The Labour MP was also named with Hasina in Bangladeshi court documents regarding meetings with the Russian government
PA
Her resignation has come amid a mini-reshuffle of Starmer’s Cabinet, as he appointed Emma Reynolds MP to replace Siddiq as Economic Secretary to the Treasury.
Following her resignation, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch took aim at Keir Starmer’s “weak” leadership, saying: “It was clear at the weekend that the anti-corruption minister’s position was completely untenable. Yet Keir Starmer dithered and delayed to protect his close friend.
“Even now, as Bangladesh files a criminal case against Tulip Siddiq, he expresses ‘sadness’ at her inevitable resignation.
“Weak leadership from a weak Prime Minister.”
Liberal Democrat spokeswoman Sarah Olney MP said: “It’s right Tulip Siddiq resigned, you can’t have an anti-corruption minister mired in a corruption scandal.
“After years of Conservative sleaze and scandal, people rightly expected better from this Government.”
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