An MP has quit as a minister in Keir Starmer’s government after prolonged questions about her family. Tulip Siddiq has quit as the Treasury’s economic secretary in a role that includes tackling corruption in UK financial markets.
She had referred herself for investigation after allegations about properties linked to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed as Bangladesh’s prime minister in August.
In a letter to the Prime Minister she said: “I am grateful to your Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards Sir Laurie Magnus for acting with speed and thoroughness in response to my self-referral, and for giving me the opportunity to share the full details of my finances and living arrangements, both present and historic. As you know, having conducted an in-depth review of the matter at my request, Sir Laurie has confirmed that I have not breached the Ministerial Code.
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“As he 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”. My family connections are a matter of public record, and when I became a Minister I provided the full details of my relationships and private interests to the Government.
“After extensive consultation with officials, I was advised to state in my declaration of interests that my aunt is the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and to recuse myself from matters relating to Bangladesh to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest. I want to assure you that I acted and have continued to act with full transparency and on the advice of officials on these matters.”
Sir Keir Starmer replies that it is with “sadness” he accepts her resignation. “I want to thank you for your commitment during your time as Economic Secretary to the Treasury, including spearheading the rollout of Banking Hubs and opening our 100th site, leading our thinking on financial inclusion, and contributing to the success of the Chancellor’s first Mansion House speech. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
“In accepting your resignation, 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. I want to thank you for self-referring to the Independent Adviser and for your full co-operation with the establishment of facts.
“I appreciate that to end ongoing distraction from delivering our agenda to change Britain, you have made a difficult decision and want to be clear that the door remains open for you going forward.”
Downing Street has confirmed that after her resignation, Swansea West MP Torsten Bell is parliamentary Secretary in HM Treasury and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Work and Pensions, and Emma Reynolds MP becomes Economic Secretary to the Treasury.