Foreign

Tulip Siddiq Resigns as UK Treasury Minister amid Bangladesh Corruption Probe

UK Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned following mounting pressure related to an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh.

Siddiq had referred herself to the Prime Minister’s standards adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, after questions arose regarding her connections to her aunt, the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from office last year.

While Sir Laurie stated there was no evidence of impropriety, he noted it was “regrettable” that Siddiq had not been more mindful of the “potential reputational risks” posed by these familial ties.

In her resignation statement, Siddiq maintained her innocence, asserting that she had done nothing wrong but acknowledged that remaining in her role could distract from the government’s work.

Before her resignation, Siddiq was named in a second investigation in Bangladesh.

Reports have linked her family to allegations of embezzling up to £3.9 billion from infrastructure projects in the country; she has also faced scrutiny over her association with London properties tied to her aunt’s allies.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s handling of the situation, accusing him of delaying action.

Writing on X, she said: “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.”

In his letter accepting Siddiq’s resignation, Starmer expressed his gratitude for her service and stated that “the door remains open” for her to return to government in the future.

Siddiq, who served as Economic Secretary to the Treasury, was tasked with addressing corruption in UK financial markets during her tenure.

BBC/Maxwell Oyekunle

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