Tulip Siddiq Resigns as UK Minister Amid Corruption Probe Links to Bangladesh Family
The MP stepped down following media reports about her aunt’s involvement in corruption investigations and the funding of her London properties.
Tulip Siddiq, the UK Treasury and Anti-Corruption Minister, resigned on Tuesday after a wave of media scrutiny surrounding her links to corruption charges faced by her aunt, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Questions about how properties owned by Siddiq’s family in the UK were financed have further complicated her position.
Siddiq, 42, had been appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the financial services policy minister following the general election in July. She was tasked with overseeing efforts to combat money laundering. However, in a letter to Starmer, Siddiq expressed that the media attention surrounding her family’s connections and property dealings would likely distract from the government’s work.
Her resignation makes her the second Labour government minister to step down in the past two months, following Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. Starmer’s approval rating has suffered since taking office, and the departure of two key ministers has further complicated his leadership.
Who is Tulip Siddiq and What is Her Connection to Bangladesh?
Siddiq has been the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate since 2015. In December, she was named in a corruption inquiry in Bangladesh alongside her family and Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed, the WHO's Southeast Asia chief. The investigation is looking into whether the family benefited from infrastructure projects in Dhaka, with allegations involving the embezzlement of $5bn linked to the construction of a power plant in Rooppur and fraudulent acquisition of land near Dhaka.
Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced on Monday that charges had been filed against Siddiq’s family in connection with these allegations.
The UK Investigation and Property Concerns
In response to the corruption allegations, Siddiq referred herself to the UK Parliament’s ethics board for an investigation into her London properties, which were gifted to her by individuals connected to Sheikh Hasina’s government. One property in Kings Cross, London, was reportedly gifted to Siddiq by Abdul Motalif, an associate of the ruling Awami League party. Another property was provided by Moin Ghani, a lawyer who has represented Hasina’s regime.
Siddiq stated she was unaware of the financial arrangements behind these properties. The investigation, led by adviser Laurie Magnus, found no evidence of improprieties linked to Siddiq’s property ownership. However, Magnus noted that Siddiq should have been more cautious regarding the potential reputational risks associated with her family’s connections.
What Did the Investigation Find?
Magnus’s report confirmed that Siddiq had been unaware of the origins of the properties she received. Despite this, he found no evidence of unusual financial arrangements involving the Awami League or the Bangladeshi state. However, he expressed regret that Siddiq had not been more aware of the potential risks to her reputation.
Siddiq was also investigated for her visit to Moscow in 2013, where she was photographed alongside her aunt and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the signing of an arms deal and the opening of the Rooppur nuclear power plant. Magnus accepted Siddiq’s explanation that she was visiting family, but noted that this visit could be part of ongoing investigations in Bangladesh.
Siddiq’s Resignation and Prime Minister’s Response
In her resignation letter, Siddiq acknowledged that while no ministerial code breach was found, the ongoing media attention surrounding her family’s affairs would distract from the government’s work. She reaffirmed her loyalty to the Labour government and its vision for national transformation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his thanks for Siddiq’s contributions, stating that no evidence of financial wrongdoing had been uncovered. He acknowledged the difficult decision she had made, emphasizing that the door remained open for her in the future.
Bangladeshi Authorities and UK Political Reactions
Bangladesh’s interim government commented that Siddiq may not have fully understood the origins of the money and properties in London, but suggested she should seek forgiveness from the Bangladeshi people now that she is aware of the details.
In the UK, Siddiq’s resignation has drawn criticism from opposition politicians. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that Siddiq’s position had been untenable and accused Keir Starmer of delaying action to protect his close associate. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also criticized Starmer for his delayed response, calling for further investigation into the origins of Siddiq’s properties.
An unnamed Labour MP described Siddiq’s resignation as an “own goal,” suggesting that appointing someone with such obvious links to a powerful Bangladeshi political dynasty may have been a misstep.
As the investigation continues, the fallout from Siddiq’s resignation casts a shadow over the Labour government’s efforts to present a united front on anti-corruption issues.