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Sir Keir Starmer revealed on Monday that UK City Minister Tulip Siddiq has referred herself to the Government's adviser on ministerial standards over her real estate holdings.
The UK Prime Minister said at a press conference on Monday that the minister “acted absolutely right” by going to Sir Laurie Magnus in light of reports about links between her estate and the ousted Bangladeshi government.
The Financial Times revealed on Friday that a friend became the owner of a two-bedroom flat near Kings Cross in 2004 without paying for it.
The property was bought three years ago for £195,000 by Abdul Muttalib, a developer with links to senior figures in the Awami League, the Bangladeshi party led by Sheikh Hasina, Siddiq's aunt and the country's former prime minister.
Siddiqa, the anti-corruption official, lived in multiple properties linked to her aunt. Sheikh Hasina and her party were accused of stealing money from the country's banking system, although they denied these accusations.
“I have confidence in her and the process that will happen now,” Starmer said of Siddiq, adding that the Labor government’s new ministerial code is to “allow ministers to ask the chancellor to establish the facts.”
In her letter to Magnus, Siddiq said she “did nothing wrong.”
She told him: “In recent weeks, I have been the subject of media reports, most of them inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my family’s relations with the former Bangladeshi government.”
“For the avoidance of doubt,” she added. “I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters. And obviously I will make sure you get all the information you need to do that.”
The government confirmed on Monday that the friend will no longer accompany British Chancellor Rachel Reeves on a trip to China scheduled for this week.
A government official said: “Tulip wants to be in the UK, so it is available to assist the Independent Ministerial Standards Advisor.”
Over the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that a friend who was living in a different property in Hampstead had been transferred to her sister by Moeen Ghani, now a prominent lawyer representing the Awami League-led Bangladesh government.
People familiar with Siddiq's situation confirmed her living arrangements.
