Tulip Siddiq has resigned as a Treasury minister after controversy over links to her aunt’s ousted political movement in Bangladesh.
In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour MP said that while she had “not breached the ministerial code”, it is clear that continuing in her post would be “a distraction from the work of the government”.
Politics Live: Reaction to minister’s resignation
Ms Siddiq has been under pressure over allegations about properties linked to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed as Bangladesh’s prime minister in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership.
She previously insisted she had “done nothing wrong” but referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog, Sir Laurie Magnus, last week.
In a letter to Sir Keir, the independent adviser called it “regrettable” that Ms Siddiq “was not more alert to the potential reputational risks” arising from her close family’s association with Bangladesh.
He said this “shortcoming” should not be taken as a breach of the ministerial code, “but you will want to consider her ongoing responsibilities in the light of this”.
In his reply, Sir Keir said he has accepted Ms Siddiq’s resignation “with sadness”, adding: “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.”
He praised her for making the “difficult decision” to resign nonetheless and said that “the door remains open for you” going forward.
Ms Siddiq has been an MP for Hampstead in north London since 2015, and is probably best known for campaigning for the release of her constituent Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, who was detained in Iran for six years.
Downing Street has announced that Wycombe MP Emma Reynolds has been appointed to replace her in the Treasury, and Torsten Bell will take Ms Reynolds’ previous role in the Department for Work and Pensions.
Ms Siddiq had the role of city minister, which meant she was responsible for illicit finance and corruption.
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Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said it was clear over the weekend that Ms Siddiq’s position “was completely untenable”.
“Keir Starmer dithered and delayed to protect his close friend,” she said on X, calling him a “weak prime minister”.
Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat’s Cabinet Office spokesperson, said: “After years of Conservative sleaze and scandal, people rightly expected better from this government.”
What are the allegations facing Ms Siddiq?
It is alleged that Ms Siddiq lived in properties linked to allies of Ms Hasina.
She is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
She had been due to join a delegation heading to China last week, but stayed in the UK to fight to clear her name.
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