Keir Starmer backs minister Tulip Siddiq amid Bangladeshi anti-corruption probe

Sir Keir Starmer is standing behind Tulip Siddiq after the Treasury minister was named in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh, Downing Street has indicated.

The prime minister says Siddiq denies any involvement in alleged corruption in the South Asian country, and said he wouldn't comment on unconfirmed media speculation. Siddiq is alleged to have been involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of cash are said to have been embezzled.The Labour minister’s aunt, Sheikh Hasina, was until recently prime minister of Bangladesh for more than 20 years. She is facing a wider investigation by an anti-corruption commission in the south Asian country after being deposed.

Along with allegations that Siddiq mediated and co-ordinated meetings as part of a deal between the Bangladeshi and Russian governments to build the Rooppur Power Plant, it is also claimed that Hasina and members of her family siphoned off cash from the deal for their own private use.

Associated Press footage from 2013 shows Siddiq attending the signing of the deal between her aunt and Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.

Speaking on Thursday, Starmer said that Siddiq had not been formally contacted by authorities, and said he wasn't aware of any attempts by the Bangladeshi government to get in touch.

Asked if he knew that Siddiq had met Putin, the prime minister said he wouldn't comment on actions by Siddiq from before she entered government. Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Highgate, was first elected in 2015.

Starmer said the minister declared interests where relevant and that an independent adviser is content that all of his ministers have met their required conditions in this regard.

Starmer's official spokesman indicated the prime minister continues to have confidence in Siddiq, who as economic secretary to the Treasury is responsible for tackling corruption in the UK's financial markets.

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She has “denied any involvement in the claims” accusing her of involvement in embezzlement, according to No 10, and continues to maintain her responsibility as a minister.Pressed about whether there was any conflict of interest in Siddiq’s involvement in the 2013 deal, the spokesman said: “I can’t speak to events that happened prior to a minister’s time in government.”He added there was a “very clear declaration process” for ministers, which had been followed.

She has been approached for comment, and the Labour Party has declined to comment. However, sources close to the minister have described the allegations as “spurious”.The investigation is based on allegations made by a political opponent of Hasina, Bobby Hajjaj.

Former Bangladeshi leader Hasina fled to India in August following an uprising, and is regarded by her critics as an autocrat.They have since accused Hasina, the leader of Bangladesh’s Awami League political party, of multiple crimes.

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