Anti-corruption minister refers herself to ethics watchdog
Share:
Anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to the prime minister's ethics watchdog over alleged links to a Russian deal with her aunt, the former Bangladesh prime minister, and properties linked to her political party. Sir Keir Starmer said the economic secretary to the Treasury - who holds responsibility for financial crime and illicit finance - had "acted entirely properly" in referring herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus.
The Labour MP has faced calls for an investigation following reports she lived in properties in London linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh. She is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Sir Keir said: "Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she's now done, and that's why we brought into being the new code. "It's to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I've got confidence in her, and that's the process that will now be happening.".
Ms Siddiq insists she has "done nothing wrong". She had been due to join a delegation heading to China this week, but will now stay in the UK as she fights to clear her name. Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Hasina is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission. In a court writ submitted to Bangladesh's High Court, seen by Sky News, Ms Siddiq is named with her aunt as allegedly brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for the Rooppur nuclear power plant.
