UK ANTI-CORRUPTION MINISTER TULIP SIDDIQ RESIGNS – Transport Minister Louise Haigh resigned last year
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq has resigned after weeks of questions over her financial ties to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, ousted last year as prime minister of Bangladesh.
Tulip Siddiq, 42, had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last week he had full confidence in her. However, the resignation of a second government minister in two months is a blow to Starmer, whose approval ratings have plunged since his Labour Party won a general election in July.
Siddiq was handed the portfolio for financial services policy after the election, a role that included responsibility for measures against money-laundering. Starmer swiftly appointed Emma Reynolds, who was a pensions minister, to Siddiq’s role.
Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Siddiq’s aunt, who had ruled Bangladesh since 2009, is being investigated there on suspicion of corruption and money laundering. Hasina and her party deny wrongdoing.
Siddiq was named in December as part of Bangladesh’s investigation into whether her family were involved in siphoning off funds from Bangladeshi infrastructure projects. Hasina fled Bangladesh after being toppled following weeks of protests.
The anti-corruption commission alleged financial irregularities worth billions of dollars in the awarding of a $12.65 billion nuclear power contract, saying Hasina and Siddiq may have benefited.
