LONDON — British Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq resigned from the British government Tuesday night to prevent an ethics probe from becoming a “distraction” to the government.
Siddiq — whose City of London brief includes anti-corruption responsibilities — has faced scrutiny in recent weeks over her ties to the ousted regime of Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina, who is her aunt.
Hasina fled Bangladesh last year after more than a decade in charge, and is facing allegations of corruption and embezzlement in a probe launched by the new Bangladeshi government in December, which names Siddiq directly.
The City minister referred herself to the U.K.’s sleaze watchdog last Monday following multiple media reports — heavily disputed by Siddiq — that she benefited from her family’s rule of Bangladesh through gifts of London real estate. There were further questions about her attendance at an event in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin to celebrate the signing of a Bangladesh-Russia energy deal.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had repeatedly stressed the City minister had his full confidence, telling journalists as recently as Monday evening that Siddiq behaved “properly” by referring herself to the standards watchdog.
But, in a letter to Starmer announcing her resignation — the second from the Labour government in two months — Siddiq said she had shared the “full details of my finances and living arrangements, both present and historic” with the PM’s ethics adviser Laurie Magnus.
“As you know, having conducted an in-depth review of the matter at my request, Sir Laurie has confirmed that I have not breached the ministerial code,” she said, referring to the ethics rules that govern the conduct of British ministers.
Siddiq said the watchdog had found “no evidence” of wrongdoing, and stressed that she had provided ”the full details of my relationships and private interests to the government” when becoming a minister as well as recusing herself from any matters relating to Bangladesh.
“However, it is clear that continuing in my role as economic secretary to the treasury is likely to be a distraction from the work of the government,” she added.
“My loyalty is and always will be to this Labour government and the program of national renewal and transformation it has embarked upon. I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position.”
The resignation comes after weeks of difficult headlines for the British government over Siddiq. She pulled out of a landmark trip helmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves over the weekend in order to assist the independent adviser with his investigation.
‘No breach’
In his reply, published by No.10 Downing Street Tuesday as it confirmed Siddiq’s exit, Starmer said he accepted her resignation with “sadness” and praised her “commitment” in post.
“In accepting your resignation, I also wish to be clear that Sir Laurie Magnus as Independent Adviser has assured me he found no breach of the Ministerial Code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part,” Starmer added.
Magnus’ report says it was “regrettable” that Siddiq “was not more alert to the potential reputational risks — both to her and the government — arising from her close family’s association with Bangladesh.”
He said: “I would not advise that this shortcoming should be taken as a breach of the ministerial code, but you will want to consider her ongoing responsibilities in the light of this.”
Britiain’s opposition Conservatives quickly leapt on the nature of the minister’s exit.
Leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It was clear at the weekend that the anti-corruption minister’s position was completely untenable. Yet Keir Starmer dithered and delayed to protect his close friend.”
This was, the Tory leader charged, “weak leadership from a weak prime minister.”
Emma Reynolds has meanwhile been promoted to City minister following Siddiq’s exit. Torsten Bell, the former chief executive of the Resolution Foundation economics think tank, will take over from Reynolds as pensions minister.
This developing story is being updated.
UK City minister Tulip Siddiq quits amid Bangladesh corruption probe
Source: Viral Showbiz Pinay
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