Tulip Siddiq has resigned from the government, Downing Street has announced.
In a letter to the prime minister, Siddiq, the economic secretary to the Treasury who is responsible for illicit finance and the UK’s anti-corruption efforts, said that while she had “not breached the ministerial code”, it is clear that continuing as a minister would be “a distraction from the work of the government”.
It comes after allegations emerged about properties linked to her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former Bangladeshi prime minister.
Last week, Siddiq referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog, Sir Laurie Magnus, after coming under mounting pressure over the allegations.
In his reply to Siddiq, the prime minister said he had accepted her resignation “with sadness”.
Keir Starmer added: “I also wish to be clear that Sir Laurie Magnus as Independent Adviser has assured me he found no breach of the ministerial code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part.”
The exchange of letters between Starmer and Siddiq:
— Josh Self (@josh-self.bsky.social) 2025-01-14T16:15:39.643Z
Starmer also praised Siddiq for making the “difficult decision” to resign, and added that “the door remains open for you” going forward.
In his letter to the prime minister, Sir Laurie said that it was “regrettable that [Siddiq] 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.”
Downing Street has announced that Emma Reynolds will replace Siddiq in the Treasury, while Torsten Bell will take Reynolds’ previous role in the Department for Work and Pensions.
Responding to Siddiq’s resignation, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “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.
“Even now, as Bangladesh files a criminal case against Tulip Siddiq, he expresses ‘sadness’ at her inevitable resignation.
“Weak leadership from a weak prime minister.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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Full exchange of letters between PM, Tulip Siddiq and ethics watchdog as minister resigns
Source: Politics
