Tulip Siddiq, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has been implicated in an investigation alleging her family embezzled up to £3.9bn from infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.
Siddiq is accused of facilitating a 2013 deal with Russia that allegedly inflated the cost of constructing a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.
The Independent reported that footage from 2013 captured by the Associated Press showed Siddiq present at the Kremlin during the signing of the agreement between her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The accusation is part of a broader investigation by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission into Siddiq’s aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from her position as Prime Minister of Bangladesh in August.
Appointed Economic Secretary to the Treasury by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July, Siddiq holds responsibility for addressing corruption in the UK’s financial markets. These allegations have raised concerns among opposition MPs, casting a shadow over Labour’s leadership.
Tory MP, Joe Robertson, commented: “It is clear that there are serious questions that demand answers – what is the minister’s involvement? What exactly is the nature of these allegations, and how can she possibly continue in post whilst under such a serious investigation?”
Conservative Shadow Home Office Minister Matt Vickers, also added: “The fact Labour’s anti-corruption minister is reportedly embroiled in a corruption case is the latest stain on Keir Starmer’s judgement.
“It is high time she came clean. The British public deserve a government that is focused on their priorities, not distracted by yet another scandal.”
Siddiq, however, has denied any involvement, dismissing the accusations as politically motivated attacks aimed at her aunt, Hasina. The claims were brought forward by Bobby Hajjaj, a prominent political rival of the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister.
