Tulip Siddiq, a former Labour minister, is facing what she describes as a “targeted and baseless” campaign by Bangladeshi authorities. Despite resigning from her position as economic secretary to the Treasury in January, Siddiq vehemently denies allegations of corruption. Her lawyers have stated that these accusations have never been officially presented to her by investigators, although they have been leaked to the media.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, a close friend of Siddiq, accepted her resignation and left the door open for her return. When corruption allegations initially arose, Siddiq sought guidance from the PM’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, who found no evidence of improprieties. However, Sir Laurie expressed concern that Siddiq did not fully recognize the reputational risks associated with her family ties to Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh.
Allegations against Siddiq stem from claims made by political opponent Bobby Hajjaj, who asserts that Siddiq facilitated a deal with Russia that inflated the price of a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. Siddiq’s legal team maintains her innocence, clarifying that she had no involvement in the deal, despite being present at a ceremony with Sheikh Hasina and Russian president Vladimir Putin. They also dismiss allegations that a London flat gifted to Siddiq was linked to embezzlement, emphasizing the timing of the gift, which was years before the nuclear plant deal.
In response to Siddiq’s lawyers demanding transparency and fair treatment, the ACC accused her of benefiting from corrupt practices within the Awami League. The chairman of the ACC, Mohammad Abdul Momen, asserted that all allegations against Siddiq would be addressed in court. Despite the ongoing scrutiny, Siddiq remains steadfast in challenging the accusations leveled against her by the Bangladeshi authorities
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