U.K. Minister Tulip Siddiq resigns over financial ties with aunt Sheikh Hasina
Ms. Siddiq says she had been cleared but was a distraction; Labour’s Emma Reynolds replaces Ms. Siddiq; Bangladesh interim government’s chief adviser
The British Minister responsible for financial services and fighting corruption resigned on Tuesday (January 14, 2025) after weeks of questions over her financial ties to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, ousted last year as prime minister of Bangladesh.Tulip Siddiq, 42, had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last week he had full confidence in her.The resignation of a second government Minister in two months is a blow to Mr. Starmer, whose approval ratings have plunged since his Labour Party won a general election in July.
Ms. Siddiq was handed the portfolio for financial services policy after the election, a role that included responsibility for measures against money-laundering.
In a statement, Ms. Siddiq said although an investigation into her financial affairs found she had not breached the ministerial code of conduct, her position was “likely to be a distraction from the work of the government”.
“I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position,” she said.
