LONDON – Tulip Siddiq, the UK minister responsible for financial services and anti-corruption efforts, resigned on Tuesday amid ongoing questions regarding her financial connections to her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Siddiq, 42, had faced intense scrutiny over her family’s ties to Hasina, who is under investigation in Bangladesh for alleged corruption and money laundering. Although Siddiq had denied any wrongdoing, she stated that her position had become “a distraction” from the government’s work.
The resignation is a setback for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has seen his approval ratings decline since Labour’s victory in July’s general election. Siddiq’s departure follows that of another minister, Louise Haigh, in December, and comes after allegations that Siddiq’s family might have benefitted from financial irregularities tied to Bangladeshi infrastructure contracts.
Siddiq had lived in properties linked to figures associated with Hasina’s government, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest. Despite an ethics adviser ruling that Siddiq had not breached the ministerial code, her resignation underscores the ongoing political fallout. Emma Reynolds, previously a pensions minister, has been appointed to replace her.