UK City Minister Tulip Siddiq is facing questions over alleged involvement in a corruption scandal tied to her aunt, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating claims that Hasina and her family, including Siddiq, siphoned $5 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. The allegations, stemming from a 2013 delegation to Moscow, include accusations that Siddiq attended the event as a family member but had no formal role.
The ACC’s investigation is in its early stages, with no formal charges yet filed. However, Transparency International Bangladesh’s chief, Iftekhar Zaman, emphasized the need for a thorough inquiry, stating that Siddiq’s potential involvement “cannot be ruled out.”
Labour officials have pushed back, asserting Siddiq’s denial of any wrongdoing. Downing Street has reiterated Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s support for Siddiq, emphasizing her continued ministerial role despite concerns over her ability to oversee measures against money laundering and illicit finance.
Siddiq’s ties to Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 16 years amid allegations of corruption and election manipulation, have long been a focal point of her political career. She has openly credited her aunt for inspiring her entry into politics and has previously worked within the Awami League’s lobbying unit in the UK. Labour insiders have noted that Siddiq leveraged her familial connections for political support, including assistance from UK-based Awami League affiliates during her election campaigns.
The controversy extends to Siddiq’s rental of a £2.1 million property owned by Awami League executive Abdul Karim, an arrangement her aides insist adheres to market rates and all rules. Nonetheless, it has added to perceptions of impropriety surrounding her political and personal ties.
