UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to dismiss Labour Minister Tulip Siddiq following a graft scandal. The controversy erupted after Bangladesh’s interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, called for an investigation into the properties owned by Siddiq and her family.
Siddiq, who is the niece of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been accused by Yunus of potentially acquiring assets through unlawful means during her aunt’s time in office.
Yunus slams Hasina And Siddiq
In an interview with the Times newspaper, Muhammad Yunus criticized the use of properties gifted to Tulip Siddiq and her family by “allies of her aunt’s deposed regime.” He further called for the assets to be returned to Bangladesh if it is proven that Siddiq benefited from “plain robbery.”
“It’s about plain robbery,” Yunus said, accusing the former government of embezzling funds through fraudulent practices that have caused lasting harm to the country.
Tulip Siddiq
Tulip Siddiq, a member of Britain’s Labour Cabinet, serves as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, tasked with combating corruption in the UK’s financial markets. She is also the niece of Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Siddiq is under mounting pressure to resign from Keir Starmer’s government following allegations made by Muhammad Yunus. According to an Associated Press report, Downing Street is already exploring options for her replacement.
Yunus’ intervention coincided with a Sunday Times investigation, which revealed that Siddiq spent several years living in a Hampstead property purchased by an offshore company linked to two Bangladeshi businessmen and named in the Panama Papers.
Starmer Faces Pressure
UK Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has urged the Starmer government to dismiss Tulip Siddiq from her ministerial role. Criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Badenoch accused him of appointing a “personal friend” as an anti-corruption minister despite allegations of corruption against her.
“It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq. He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption. Now the Government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina,” Badenoch said.
