UK anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq tendered her resignation as Economic Secretary to the Treasury to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday, citing ongoing publicity concerning her family ties to deposed Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a significant distraction from governmental duties. This comes after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed criminal cases against Siddiq, Hasina, and four of their family members over allegedly illegitimate land acquisitions. Siddiq referred herself to the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, Sir Laurie Magnus, on January 6, who did not find that Siddiq breached the government’s Ministerial Code. 

In her resignation letter, Siddiq emphasized, “As [Magnus] notes, there is no evidence to suggest that I have acted improperly in relation to the properties I have owned or lived in, nor to suggest that any of my assets ‘derive from anything other than legitimate means.'”

Despite these assurances, Siddiq acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, “My family connections are a matter of public record,” and that the information regarding her ties had been fully disclosed. She had been advised to recuse herself from matters relating to Bangladesh to prevent any perception of conflict of interest.

While Siddiq denied any wrongdoing, the controversy had become untenable for the Labour government. Magnus, wrote to the Prime Minister that:

Given the nature of Ms Siddiq’s ministerial responsibilities, which include the promotion of the UK financial services sector and the inherent probity of its regulatory framework as a core component of the UK economy and its growth, it is regrettable that she was not more alert to the potential reputational risks – both to her and the Government – arising from her close family’s association with Bangladesh. I would not advise that this shortcoming should be taken as a breach of the Ministerial Code, but you will want to consider her ongoing responsibilities in the light of this.

Siddiq’s aunt, Hasina, fled Bangladesh last August amid student protests. Hasina’s Awami League party faced allegations of human rights abuses and forced disappearances during her time in power. Her tenure as Prime Minister was marked by accusations of serious human rights abuses, including forced disappearances.

Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badnoch reacted to Siddiq’s resignation by posting, “It was clear at the weekend that the anti-corruption minister’s position was completely untenable. Yet Keir Starmer dithered and delayed to protect his close friend.”

The Government has appointed Emma Reynolds and Torsten Bell ministers in her place.