Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure to take action against Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq following fresh allegations regarding her property dealings.
The Hampstead and Highgate MP is under investigation by a watchdog about her involvement with properties tied to her aunt, the former Bangladeshi prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.
Concerns have emerged over a flat in Hampstead, London, reportedly used by Siddiq, which was gifted to her sister by an ally of Hasina’s political party.
Additionally, Siddiq is said to have received a flat in King’s Cross from another associate within the Awami League, a party closely linked to her aunt’s regime.
Political and Legal Tensions Rise
The controversy deepened when Muhammad Yunus, the leader of Bangladesh’s interim government, criticized Siddiq’s property use, urging an investigation into the London properties.
He suggested they should be returned if they were obtained through “plain robbery” and called for her to apologize and resign.
Yunus’s remarks intensified the calls for Siddiq’s resignation, particularly due to her current position as the minister for anti-corruption.
“She defends herself rather than acknowledging her wrongdoings,” he said, urging her to step down.
Calls for Resignation Mount
As Siddiq reports herself to Prime Minister’s independent adviser Sir Laurie Magnus for an inquiry, both opposition and government figures have questioned her continued role.
Mel Stride, Shadow Chancellor, appeared on Sky News, stating that Siddiq could not effectively fulfill her duties given the accusations against her.
“She should step down, and the PM needs to get a grip on this,” Stride added, highlighting the difficulty in maintaining her position as the anti-corruption minister while facing corruption allegations herself.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also criticized Starmer, accusing him of failing to act despite Siddiq’s alleged involvement in a corruption scandal.
“It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack her,” she posted on social media, emphasizing that Siddiq’s ties to the former Bangladeshi government were casting a shadow over the administration’s focus on national issues.
The Official Investigation Continues
Science Secretary Peter Kyle defended the process, stating that Siddiq had done the right thing by referring herself for investigation.
He emphasized the importance of allowing the independent inquiry to take its course, expressing confidence in the process.
“We need to wait for the outcome of that inquiry,” Kyle said.
However, he stopped short of fully backing Siddiq, emphasizing the need for the investigation to conclude before making any judgments.
Siddiq’s Defense and the Bangladesh Allegations
In her letter to Sir Laurie, Siddiq refuted any wrongdoing, citing misreporting in the media regarding her financial affairs and her family’s connections to Bangladesh’s former government.
She expressed her willingness to cooperate with the investigation, stating, “I have done nothing wrong, but I would like the facts to be independently established.”
Siddiq is reportedly named in a Bangladesh anti-corruption probe linked to a 2013 nuclear deal with Russia, where allegations of embezzlement surfaced.
However, Siddiq has denied any involvement in the claims.
Close sources to her have dismissed the accusations as unfounded, while footage from 2013 shows her attending the signing of the deal between her aunt and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Road Ahead
As the investigation unfolds, Siddiq’s future in the government remains uncertain.
With increasing pressure from all sides, the coming weeks will determine whether she can retain her position or if Keir Starmer will be forced to take further action.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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