The Labour MP faces fresh scrutiny from Bangladesh authorities over financial ties and property dealings linked to her family.
Tulip Siddiq, the former anti-corruption minister, is facing a third investigation in Bangladesh related to alleged money laundering and power misuse. This latest probe, announced just hours after Siddiq resigned as a minister, centres on her involvement with properties in London and her connections to the ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her political party, the Awami League.
During a press conference in Dhaka, Akhtar Hossain, the director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission, confirmed that the inquiry is focusing on Siddiq and her uncle, Tarique Siddique, for possible illegal activities, including money laundering, the misuse of power, and the unlawful occupation of government property in Bangladesh. Hossain also indicated that the Bangladeshi investigators may request assistance from UK authorities if additional information is needed.
A spokesperson for Tulip Siddiq has firmly denied the allegations, stating that no evidence has been presented to support the claims. They added that Siddiq had not been contacted by any officials regarding the investigation.
Siddiq’s uncle, Tarique Siddique, is a former adviser to her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, and has been involved in political affairs in Bangladesh for years. Following months of violent protests, Sheikh Hasina resigned from office in August, after 20 years in power. The new government has since accused the previous administration of corruption and mismanagement.
The Labour MP resigned from her ministerial role earlier this week after her links to her aunt’s political regime came under increasing scrutiny. It is alleged that Siddiq has benefited from three London properties, which are said to be linked to her aunt and her political allies.
Siddiq had referred herself to the Prime Minister’s standards adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, who concluded that there was “no evidence of improprieties.” However, Magnus did note that Siddiq’s awareness of the “potential reputational risks” surrounding her ties to her aunt could have been better managed. Siddiq, stating that continuing in her role would be a “distraction,” maintained her innocence throughout the process.
This latest investigation follows previous inquiries into Siddiq’s involvement in alleged corruption surrounding a new town development project near Dhaka, as well as a separate probe into the alleged embezzlement of £3.9 billion from a nuclear power project in Bangladesh, developed in collaboration with Russia.
While Labour sources have suggested that these investigations are baseless, Siddiq has yet to be formally contacted by authorities in Bangladesh. In response, Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus, who is leading the interim government of Bangladesh, called for a full investigation into the properties linked to Siddiq. Yunus stated that if Siddiq was found to have gained from “plain robbery,” the assets should be returned to Bangladesh.
Yunus further suggested that Siddiq may not have been fully aware of the sources of the money and properties but urged her to acknowledge the issue and seek forgiveness from the people of Bangladesh.