LONDON (AP) - Britain’s anti-corruption minister, Tulip Siddiq, resigned on Tuesday amid a controversy regarding her connections to her aunt, the ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Siddiq's resignation as economic secretary to the Treasury comes as the issue was becoming a "distraction from the work of the government," a sentiment echoed by her colleagues.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced increasing pressure to remove Siddiq from her position, particularly after she referred herself to the U.K. government’s ethics watchdog. Reports surfaced indicating that she resided in London properties linked to Hasina, who was ousted last year following extensive protests in Bangladesh. The situation called into question Siddiq’s judgment and appropriateness to hold her ministerial role.
In response to Siddiq’s resignation, Starmer expressed his disappointment, highlighting that the independent adviser on ministerial interests, Laurie Magnus, found no breach of the Ministerial Code by her. Magnus publicly stated, “He has assured me he found no breach of the Ministerial Code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part." This statement aimed to clear Siddiq of wrongdoing, yet did not mitigate the growing scrutiny surrounding her connections.
Raising further concerns, Siddiq was named last month in a Bangladesh anti-corruption investigation involving Hasina. Allegations emerged that Siddiq's family participated in negotiating a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, during which significant sums of money were purportedly embezzled. The investigation has drawn attention both locally and internationally, especially concerning Siddiq's role in the British government.
Following her resignation, additional agency reports in the Sunday Times and Financial Times claimed that Siddiq had utilized two London apartments gifted to her by associates connected to Hasina’s Awami League party. This revelation intensified questions about Siddiq’s ethical standards and her closeness to a government embroiled in controversy.
Despite Magnus concluding that Siddiq had not breached ministerial standards, he remarked that it was unfortunate Siddiq had not been more vigilant regarding the potential reputational risks associated with her family's relationships in Bangladesh. This observation highlighted the need for greater awareness and accountability among government officials regarding their personal connections that could impact public perception and trust in the administration.
The fallout from Siddiq's resignation reflects broader concerns about ethical governance and the intersection of personal relationships and political responsibilities. As investigations continue in Bangladesh, and scrutiny mounts in the UK, the implications of Siddiq's ties to Hasina remain a topic of conversation among political analysts and the public alike.
