Wednesday, 22 January, 2025
The UK's Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to dismiss Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq amid mounting corruption allegations. This follows remarks by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, who has urged an investigation into London properties linked to Siddiq.
In a post on her X account (formerly Twitter), Badenoch wrote: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq. The Government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her ties to Sheikh Hasina’s regime.”
The allegations gained traction after Professor Yunus, a Nobel Laureate, stated in an interview with The Sunday Times that the properties Siddiq uses should be investigated and, if found to be illegally acquired, returned to Bangladesh. He remarked, “She becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. If proven, she should resign and seek forgiveness.”
Siddiq, a member of the UK’s Labour Cabinet serving as Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, is under scrutiny over her alleged links to properties owned by allies of her aunt, ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Amid these allegations, Siddiq referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser on ministerial standards, maintaining her innocence. In her letter, she asserted: “I am clear that I have done nothing wrong.”
Prime Minister Starmer defended Siddiq at a press conference, stating she had “acted entirely properly” by referring herself for investigation and expressing his confidence in her. However, Siddiq has withdrawn from a planned visit to China with the Chancellor to focus on addressing the allegations.
Several international media outlets have reported that Siddiq benefited from properties allegedly gifted by associates of Sheikh Hasina’s government. These include a Hampstead flat linked to lawyer Moin Ghani and a King’s Cross apartment associated with Abdul Motalif, both allies of Hasina’s administration.
Further reports suggest Siddiq facilitated discussions with Russia over the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in 2013, despite holding no official UK government position at the time. Allegations of embezzlement related to the Rooppur project, amounting to approximately $4 billion, have implicated Sheikh Hasina and her family, including Siddiq.
Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following a mass uprising in Bangladesh, faces multiple charges, including crimes against humanity, brought forward by the newly formed Bangladeshi government. Meanwhile, Siddiq is reportedly being questioned by the UK Cabinet Office’s Justice and Ethics Team as part of ongoing investigations into her alleged misconduct.
Calls for accountability continue to grow, with several MPs from the ruling party publicly voicing concerns over Siddiq’s suitability for her role amidst these accusations.
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The UK's Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to dismiss Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq amid mounting corruption allegations. This follows remarks by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, who has urged an investigation into London properties linked to Siddiq.
In a post on her X account (formerly Twitter), Badenoch wrote: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq. The Government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her ties to Sheikh Hasina’s regime.”
The allegations gained traction after Professor Yunus, a Nobel Laureate, stated in an interview with The Sunday Times that the properties Siddiq uses should be investigated and, if found to be illegally acquired, returned to Bangladesh. He remarked, “She becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. If proven, she should resign and seek forgiveness.”
Siddiq, a member of the UK’s Labour Cabinet serving as Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, is under scrutiny over her alleged links to properties owned by allies of her aunt, ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Amid these allegations, Siddiq referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser on ministerial standards, maintaining her innocence. In her letter, she asserted: “I am clear that I have done nothing wrong.”
Prime Minister Starmer defended Siddiq at a press conference, stating she had “acted entirely properly” by referring herself for investigation and expressing his confidence in her. However, Siddiq has withdrawn from a planned visit to China with the Chancellor to focus on addressing the allegations.
Several international media outlets have reported that Siddiq benefited from properties allegedly gifted by associates of Sheikh Hasina’s government. These include a Hampstead flat linked to lawyer Moin Ghani and a King’s Cross apartment associated with Abdul Motalif, both allies of Hasina’s administration.
Further reports suggest Siddiq facilitated discussions with Russia over the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in 2013, despite holding no official UK government position at the time. Allegations of embezzlement related to the Rooppur project, amounting to approximately $4 billion, have implicated Sheikh Hasina and her family, including Siddiq.
Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following a mass uprising in Bangladesh, faces multiple charges, including crimes against humanity, brought forward by the newly formed Bangladeshi government. Meanwhile, Siddiq is reportedly being questioned by the UK Cabinet Office’s Justice and Ethics Team as part of ongoing investigations into her alleged misconduct.
Calls for accountability continue to grow, with several MPs from the ruling party publicly voicing concerns over Siddiq’s suitability for her role amidst these accusations.
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