Siddiq has faced scrutiny over her ties to the ousted regime of Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina, who is her aunt.
LONDON — British Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq resigned from the British government Tuesday night to avoid an ethics probe becoming a “distraction” to the government.
Siddiq — whose City of London brief includes anti-corruption responsibilities — has faced scrutiny in recent weeks over her ties to the ousted regime of Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina, who is her aunt.
She is being investigated by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission, and referred herself to the U.K.’s own ethics watchdog after media reports over properties linked to her aunt and her allies.
In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing her resignation, Siddiq said she had shared the “full details of my finances and living arrangements, both present and historic” with the PM’s ethics adviser Laurie Magnus.
“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,” she said, referring to the ethics rules that govern the conduct of British ministers.
Siddiq said the watchdog had found “no evidence” of wrongdoing, and stressed that she had provided ”the full details of my relationships and private interests to the government,” when becoming a minister and recused herself from any matters relating to Bangladesh.
“However, it is clear that continuing in my role as economic secretary to the treasury is likely to be a distraction from the work of the government,” she added.
“My loyalty is and always will be to this Labour government and the program of national renewal and transformation it has embarked upon. I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position.”
In his reply, published by No.10 Downing Street Tuesday as it confirmed Siddiq’s exit, Starmer said he accepted her resignation with “sadness” and praised her “commitment” in post.
“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,” Starmer added.
This developing story is being updated.
