The Labour Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned on Tuesday amid a lot of controversy of her links to her aunt who was ousted in Bangladesh.
Siddiq said in a letter to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that she had not “breached the ministerial code” and with her remaining in her role this would be a “distraction from the work of the government.”
She has been under pressure of properties that are linked to her aunt Sheikh Hasina who was ousted in a political movement, she was also Bangladesh’s longer serving Prime Minister.
Last week Siddiq referred herself to the Prime Minister’s ethics watchdog amid her links to her Russian deal with her deposed aunt.
Starmer said the economic secretary to the Treasury acted “entirely properly” by referring herself to the watchdog and she insists that she has “done nothing wrong.”
Last week Starmer said, “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
An independent review has confirmed that I have not breached the Ministerial Code and there is no evidence to suggest I have acted improperly.
Nonetheless, to avoid distraction for the Government, I have resigned as City Minister.
Here is my full letter to the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/kZeWZfEsei
— Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) January 14, 2025
Siddiq wrote, “My family connections are a matter of public record, and when I became a Minister I provided the full details of my relationships and private interests to the government.
“After extensive consultation with officials, I was advised to state in my declaration of interests that my aunt is the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and to rescue myself from matters relating to Bangladesh to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest.
“I want to assure you that I acted and have continued to act with full transparency and on the advice of official on these matters.”
In response to her resignation Starmer said he has accepted this “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.”
