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UK PM Urged to Dismiss Tulip Siddiq Over Corruption Claims
The UK's Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to dismiss Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq amid corruption allegations. This follows calls for an investigation into London properties allegedly linked to Siddiq, as well as concerns raised by Bangladesh's former Chief Adviser, Prof Muhammad Yunus.
Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq. The Government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Prof Yunus, a Nobel Laureate, had recently urged an investigation into properties used by Siddiq in London, suggesting they be returned to Bangladesh if they were acquired through illicit means. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Yunus stated that Siddiq, as the UK's anti-corruption minister, should resign if she had committed any wrongdoing, adding, “She’s defending herself instead of apologizing.”
Siddiq, a senior Labour minister, is accused of being linked to properties owned by allies of her aunt, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Siddiq referred herself for investigation, maintaining her innocence. She stated, "I am clear that I have done nothing wrong," and has withdrawn from a trip to China to assist the inquiry.
Prime Minister Starmer defended Siddiq, saying she had acted “entirely properly” in requesting an investigation and expressing confidence in her. However, the controversy intensified after reports that Siddiq had been linked to properties given to her family by associates of the ousted Bangladesh government. These include flats in Hampstead and King's Cross, allegedly provided by lawyer Moin Ghani and businessman Abdul Motalif, both connected to the Awami League.
Further allegations involve Siddiq's role in facilitating discussions with Russia regarding Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in 2013, despite holding no official UK government position at the time. She is also implicated in claims of embezzling $4 billion from the project, which have raised suspicions about corruption within the Bangladeshi regime of Sheikh Hasina.
Reports suggest Siddiq is under investigation by the UK Cabinet Office’s Justice and Ethics Team, and the controversy continues to grow as more details emerge.