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(Bloomberg) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he has confidence in his city’s minister, Tulip Siddiqui, who is under investigation over ties to assets linked to associates of Bangladesh’s ousted former government.
Starmer told reporters on Monday that Siddiq – whose role includes tackling financial corruption – was “entirely justified” by referring herself to the government standards watchdog, the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Laurie Magnus, on the issue. “The work has been done. “I trust him,” he said.
The pressure on Siddiq has eased somewhat following several revelations in the British press about his receipt and use of assets linked to his aunt and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted last year. Hasina’s relationship with the government is controversial as her Awami League party has been accused of siphoning funds from Bangladesh’s banking system, but they deny the charge.
The Financial Times reported on Friday that Siddiq had received a two-bedroom flat near King’s Cross without paying in 2004 and that the property had been bought three years ago by a developer linked to senior figures in the Awami League. The Sunday Times reported that Siddiq also used a separate north London property given to his family in 2009 by Bangladeshi lawyer Moin Ghani, who has represented Hasina’s government.
“In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting about my financial affairs and my family’s relationship with the former government of Bangladesh, much of which was inaccurate,” Siddiq said in her letter to Magnus. “I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts regarding these matters. “I will obviously make sure you have all the information you need to do so.”
Starmer spokesman Dave Pares told reporters on Monday that Magnus would look into the matter to determine whether further action, such as a broader investigation, is needed. It was Siddiq’s decision to send himself to Magnus, he said, who would update Starmer after the conclusion of the fact-finding exercise.
A Labor Party spokesman said Siddiq was due to travel to China with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to meet her ministerial counterparts this weekend, but would now stay on to assist with the inquiry.
–With assistance from Ellen Milligan.
(Updated with comments from the Prime Minister’s spokesperson in sixth paragraph.)
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