Tulip Siddiq, the UK’s anti-corruption minister, resigned from her position on Tuesday after being named in an ongoing corruption investigation linked to the family of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The resignation follows allegations involving land grabbing and embezzlement, which have been under investigation by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Siddiq, 42, reiterated her innocence, stating that she had not engaged in any wrongdoing. However, she explained that continuing in her ministerial role could become a distraction from the government’s work, prompting her to step down. “My family connections are a matter of public record,” Siddiq said, emphasizing her commitment to transparency and loyalty to the UK Labour government.
Siddiq’s resignation comes amidst increasing scrutiny of her family’s alleged involvement in corrupt practices. Earlier this week, the ACC confirmed that Siddiq, along with her relatives, was under investigation in connection with an alleged land grab in a suburban area near the capital Dhaka. This investigation is in addition to previous probes into a $5 billion embezzlement scheme tied to a Russian-funded nuclear power plant, in which Siddiq’s family has been implicated. The Bangladeshi authorities have ordered major banks to provide details on financial transactions linked to Siddiq as part of the investigation.
The controversy surrounding Siddiq’s family connections to Hasina, who fled Bangladesh in August following widespread protests, has garnered significant media attention. A recent Sunday Times investigation revealed that Siddiq had resided in a London flat owned by an offshore company linked to two Bangladeshi businessmen. The property was later transferred to a lawyer associated with Hasina’s family and her ousted government. Additional claims suggest Siddiq and her family have used properties in London bought by individuals connected to the ruling Awami League party.
Siddiq, a Member of Parliament for a north London constituency, had served as the UK’s Anti-Corruption Minister, overseeing the nation’s financial services and anti-corruption measures. Despite her resignation, Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed gratitude for her work, acknowledging that there was no evidence of financial impropriety on her part. Starmer also noted that the door remained open for Siddiq in the future, should she wish to return to public service.
This resignation has sparked significant political discourse in the UK, with opposition parties urging the government to provide further clarity on the issue. Meanwhile, Siddiq’s resignation marks another chapter in the ongoing investigations into the financial dealings of Sheikh Hasina’s family and their connections to the UK.
As the investigation continues, Siddiq’s role in the UK government and her association with Bangladesh’s political elite remains a topic of intense public and political scrutiny.
Sources By Agencies
