British PM leaves ‘door open’ for Tulip

UK Economic Secretary Tulip Siddiq has resigned, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer has hinted at the possibility of her returning to the government.

The prime minister's adviser on the investigation of cabinet members, Laurie Magnus, has said that the corruption allegations against Tulip have not been proven.

Tulip Siddiq, a four-term MP, resigned on Tuesday (January 14) after an investigation into multiple corruption allegations against her began. She was responsible for combating corruption in the UK's financial sector as the economic secretary, known as the city minister.

In a letter to Tulip that day, Starmer said, "The door remains open for you (Tulip)." He also thanked this popular MP from his party for his ministerial duties.

After allegations of corruption were raised against Tulip, Laurie Magnus investigated the matter. Referring to the investigation, Keir Starmer told Tulip that Magnus had found no evidence of any corruption against her.

In a letter to Prime Minister Starmer on Tuesday, Magnus said the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing against Tulip.

After resignation, she wrote on her X handle: "An independent review has confirmed that I have not breached the Ministerial Code and there is no evidence to suggest I have acted improperly. Nonetheless, to avoid distraction for the Government, I have resigned as city minister."

Tulip Siddiq, the niece of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was first elected to the UK Parliament in 2015. On July 4 last year, she became the MP from the Hampstead and Highgate constituency in southwest London for the fourth consecutive time on the nomination of the Labour Party. She was then appointed as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister by the government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

After the fall of the government of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 last year, there was strong criticism in the UK about her relationship with Tulip Siddiq, the daughter of her sister Sheikh Rehana. In addition, questions were raised about Tulip's use of the property of several people associated with the Sheikh Hasina government. Demands for her resignation from various quarters, including the opposition, intensified. Several opposition leaders also called on the government to dismiss her. Regular news and editorials began to be published in various media outlets in the UK.

In view of this, Tulip herself wrote a letter (referral) to Laurie Magnus requesting an investigation into the allegations against her. Magnus advises the UK Prime Minister on the conduct and ethics of ministers.

Laurie Magnus wrote a letter to the Prime Minister with the information obtained after the investigation into corruption against Tulip. In the letter, he reviewed MP Tulip Siddiq's personal financial affairs, source of wealth and some allegations related to Bangladesh and Russia.

The letter states that while Tulip's financial and property records have been examined, no conclusive evidence has been found regarding the source of funds for some of the assets dating back 20 years. However, no financial benefit has been found to be linked to the Bangladesh Awami League or Bangladesh.

Laurie said that Tulip's visit to Moscow in 2013 was family-related and that she did not participate in any formal discussions. However, he warned that such matters could come under investigation in the future.

The letter also states that Siddiq's close family ties and the political controversy that has arisen from them could damage the reputation of his ministry and the government. However, there was no evidence of serious breaches of ministry policy.

Laurie suggested to the UK Prime Minister that Tulip Siddiq's role could be reconsidered based on the responsibilities of the ministry.

This letter has also caused a stir among the Prime Minister and relevant circles. Political analysts see this as a possibility of Tulip's return to the UK government, provided that it is proven to be 'clean'.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed lawmaker Emma Reynolds as Economic Secretary to the Treasury on Tuesday (January 14) after Tulip Siddiq resigned from the position, reports Reuters.

Reynolds, 47, was elected to office at the 2024 national election, which saw the Labour Party regain power after 14 years in opposition.

She currently represents the Wycombe constituency in southern England and previously served as a lawmaker for a different seat in central England between 2010 and 2019.