Sheikh Hasina’s Niece Tulip Siddiq Resigns As UK Minister Over Graft Claims Tied To Aunt

Tulip Siddiq, the UK minister for financial services and anti-corruption, resigned on Tuesday after enduring weeks of scrutiny regarding her financial connections to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh who was ousted last year.

Why She Stepped Down As Minister?

42-year-old Siddiq denied any misconduct, even as Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his confidence in her, last year. Siddiq handled financial services policy, including anti-money laundering measures. In her resignation letter to Starmer, she cited concerns that her position might "distract from the work of the government."

Siddiq's resignation comes shortly after transport minister Louise Haigh stepped down last year due to revelations of a minor criminal offence prior to her government tenure.

An independent review concluded Siddiq had not breached the Ministerial Code, with Siddiq reiterating her innocence on social media platform X. However, the government's ethics adviser criticized her for not being more vigilant about the reputational risks linked to her family's association with Bangladesh.

In response, Starmer appointed former pensions minister Emma Reynolds to replace Siddiq.

Sheikh Hasina Connection

Sheikh Hasina, who led Bangladesh from 2009 until her removal last year, is under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering. While Hasina and her party deny wrongdoing, the anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh is probing potential financial irregularities, including a USD 12.65 billion nuclear power project, claiming Siddiq and Hasina may have financially benefited.

Siddiq's financial dealings have faced heightened scrutiny. Reports indicate she lived in a London property gifted to her family in 2009 by Moin Ghani, a lawyer associated with Hasina's government. Additionally, she acquired another London property in 2004 without payment, reportedly from a developer linked to Hasina's Awami League party.

Hasina fled Bangladesh following her removal from office after weeks of protests, last year. Currently, she is in India even as the Bangadesh's interim government demanding New Delhi to extradite her.