Minister Tulip Siddiq refers herself to sleaze watchdog amid property probe calls

Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to a sleaze watchdog amid calls for a probe into over properties linked to her family and her aunt’s political movement.

Keir Starmer said the Labour MP had “acted entirely properly”. Ms Siddiq, who denies wrongdoing, faces questions over reports she lived in properties in London linked to allies of her aunt, former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.

Addressing reporters in Surrey, Mr Starmer said the minister had referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus. He 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.”

Ms Siddiq insisted she had done nothing wrong. She had been due to join a Treasury delegation heading to China this week, but will now stay in the UK as she fights to clear her name.

A source said: “Tulip wants to be the UK so she is available to assist the independent adviser on ministerial standards.” Ms Siddiq’s aunt was deposed in August last year following an uprising against her leadership and fled to India.

The former Bangladeshi PM is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission in the south Asian country, with Ms Siddiq reportedly named as part of the case. She was alleged to have been involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.

Large sums are claimed to have been embezzled. Ms Siddiq’s decision to refer herself to the ministerial standards watchdog comes after the Sunday Times and Financial Times reported she had lived in properties linked to her aunt’s regime.

The Sunday Times reported she had used a flat in Hampstead, north London, which had been given to her teenage sister by lawyer Moin Ghani, who had represented the Hasina administration. The Financial Times claimed she had also used an apartment in King’s Cross given to her by Abdul Motalif, another associate of members of the Awami League party in Bangladesh.

In her letter to ministerial standards watchdog Sir Laurie, Ms 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.”