Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to a UK ministerial standards watchdog following several days of allegations concerning her ownership and residence in properties linked to the recently ousted Awami League government.
As the city minister for anti-corruption, Tulip Siddiq has requested an investigation by Keir Starmer's independent adviser on ministerial standards to determine whether she breached the ministerial code, according to reports The Guardian.
Her request came in response to revelations that she resided in multiple properties associated with her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, who resigned amid a popular uprising.
In a letter to the adviser, Tulip Siddiq stated: "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."
Labour officials have announced that Siddiq will not join a Treasury delegation led by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to China this week, opting instead to stay in the UK to assist with the inquiries.
Tulip Siddiq is facing scrutiny over her use of several properties, including a two-bedroom flat near King's Cross and a separate residence in Hampstead.
The Financial Times revealed that the King's Cross flat, purchased in 2001 for £195,000 by Abdul Motalif, a developer linked to Awami League, was transferred to Tulip Siddiq in 2004 without any payment.
The Mail on Sunday reported that Siddiq had previously told journalists the flat was a gift from her parents, raising accusations of misleading the press.
Subsequently, The Sunday Times disclosed that she had lived in the Hampstead property after its acquisition by Moin Ghani, a lawyer for Hasina’s government, who later transferred ownership to Siddiq’s sister.
Additionally, Tulip Siddiq is renting a £2.1 million home in East Finchley, owned by Abdul Karim, an executive member of the UK wing of the Awami League.
Tulip Siddiq’s political ties to her aunt’s party have been a recurring issue.
In 2017, she faced criticism for refusing to address the case of Ahmad bin Quasem, a British-trained barrister imprisoned in Bangladesh, asserting that her responsibilities were solely as a Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn.
Sheikh Hasina, who was the world’s longest-serving female leader, was ousted in August last year following student-led protests against her government, which resulted in hundreds of deaths due to the violent security response she commanded.
Hasina fled Bangladesh by helicopter after demonstrators overran her palace in Dhaka.
Despite the ongoing revelations, Tulip Siddiq has retained the confidence of Keir Starmer.
On Monday, Starmer expressed his support, stating: "Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that's why we brought in 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."
