Tulip Siddiq has resigned from her position as Treasury Minister following weeks of scrutiny over her financial connections to her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the ousted leader of Bangladesh.
While Ms. Siddiq denied any wrongdoing, she stated that the issue had become a distraction for the government. She is now the second minister in the UK government to step down within two months.
Ms. Siddiq, who was responsible for financial services policy, including anti-money laundering measures, faced mounting criticism after being named in a Bangladeshi corruption investigation involving her aunt. The investigation alleged financial irregularities in a $12.65 billion nuclear power deal with Russia.
In a statement, Ms. Siddiq expressed her decision to resign, citing concerns about being a distraction to the government. She noted that an independent investigation she had requested found no violation of the ministerial code of conduct.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accepted her resignation with sadness, emphasizing that there was no evidence of financial improprieties or breaches of conduct. He immediately appointed Emma Reynolds, a former pensions minister, to succeed Ms. Siddiq.
The government’s ethics advisor, Sir Laurie Magnus, acknowledged that Ms. Siddiq had not breached any conduct codes but criticized her for failing to anticipate reputational risks related to her family ties in Bangladesh.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Ms. Siddiq’s continued presence in government, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of delaying action to protect his close associate.
Reports in leading newspapers highlighted further concerns regarding Ms. Siddiq’s ties to her aunt’s political regime. Allegations surfaced about her use of two London properties linked to associates of Bangladesh’s Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina.
The first property, acquired in 2004 without payment, was reportedly gifted by a developer linked to the Awami League. The second, a north London apartment, was provided by Moin Ghani, a Bangladeshi lawyer associated with Sheikh Hasina’s government.
Tulip Siddiq’s resignation marks a turbulent period for the Labor government, being the second ministerial resignation within two months.
