UK govt 'considering candidates to replace Tulip', reports Sunday Times

Senior allies of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are considering candidates to replace Tulip Siddiq if she is forced to quit over various recent allegations, claims a report of The Sunday Times.

The Sunday newspaper quoted officials who said they had identified candidates to succeed the treasury minister over the weekend before the public announcement that Tulip had referred herself to the prime minister's ethics watchdog, which was made on Monday (6 January).

Starmer has said he has full confidence in Tulip, and a No 10 spokesman said it was "completely untrue" to suggest the party had drawn up a shortlist.

But The Times has been told some of those close to the prime minister are at least informally considering who could succeed her.

Among the candidates who may be considered by No 10 are the two ministerial aides to Rachel Reeves, Alistair Strathern and Imogen Walker.

Others who could be considered for the role include Callum Anderson, a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) in the science and technology department, as well as Kanishka Narayan and Josh Simons, PPSs in the environment department, and Rachel Blake, whose constituency covers the City.

Lucy Rigby, the attorney general, and Torsten Bell, an economist who is also a ministerial aide, may also be considered strong options.

Financial crime officials at Bangladesh's central bank have demanded bank account details for Tulip and seven of her family members, and the country's anti-corruption commission is investigating whether she helped embezzle billions of pounds in a deal for a Russian-funded nuclear power plant.

One Labour source said Tulip's referral "suggests that she's willing to fall on her sword" and that she was "on the way out".

In her referral to Magnus, Tulip said: "I am clear that I have done nothing wrong. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I would like you to independently establish the facts about these matters. I will obviously ensure you have all the information you need to do this."

A spokesman for Tulip said: "No evidence has been presented for these allegations. Tulip has not been contacted by anyone on the matter and totally refutes the claims."