Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards in response to allegations about her financial affairs and ties to the ousted government in Bangladesh.
On Monday, Keir Starmer announced that Siddiq – whose brief includes regulation of corruption in the financial sector – had written to Sir Laurie Magnus, asking him to look into the claims. Magnus was given extended powers when Starmer updated the ministerial code in November, including the ability to launch misconduct investigations into ministers without the PM's approval.
The prime minister said Siddiq “has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser” and that Magnus would “establish the facts”.
“I've got confidence in her, and that's the process that will now be happening,” he added.
In her letter to Magnus, Siddiq said: "In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my family's links to the former government of Bangladesh.
"I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters.
"I will obviously ensure you have all the information you need to do this."
Siddiq, who has the full ministerial title of economic secretary to the Treasury and city minister, has faced calls for an investigation into reports that she has lived in properties in London linked to allies of her aunt. Sheikh Hasina was prime minister of Bangladesh until last year’s uprising, which saw her go into self-imposed exile.
In December, Sidiq was also named, alongside her aunt, by Bangladesh's anti-corruption commission in court documents related to a 2013 deal with Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. An opponent of Hasina has claimed up to £3.9bn was embezzled and accused Siddiq of helping to broker the deal. Siddiq attended the deal's signing at the Kremlin alongside Hasina and Russian president Vladimir Putin.
A source close to Siddiq last month described these as "trumped-up charges" and said the allegations were "completely politically motivated" and designed to damage her aunt.
Matt Vickers, the Conservative shadow minister for crime, policing and fire, said there were "clear questions" for Siddiq to answer. He said she “must be held to the same standards as other ministers in his government” but that “indications so far show that that may not be the case”.
Siddiq is the MP for Hampstead and Highgate, which neighbours Starmer’s Holborn and St Pancras constituency. She was elected in 2015 and was shadow economic secretary to the Treasury from December 2021 before being appointed to the ministerial equivalent upon Labour's election victory in July.
Her aunt was prime minister of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001 and then 2009 to 2024, making her the longest-serving PM in the country’s history. In October, the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants for Hasina and senior members of her cabinet. She is accused “being at the helm of those who committed massacres, killings and crimes against humanity” during protests last summer.