Sir Keir Starmer is being called to sack anti-corruption minister, Tulip Siddiq, after she was named in an investigation which claims members of her family embezzled just under four billion pounds from infrastructure spending in Bangladesh.

So, what is Tulip Siddiq accused of and what has the prime minister said about the scandal?

FactCheck takes a look.

What is Tulip Siddiq accused of?

Tulip Siddiq, a treasury minister responsible for tackling financial crime, is being investigated by standards watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus due to questions over her aunt, Sheikh Hasina.

Ms Hasina is the former prime minister of Bangladesh – removed from power after protests against her rule last year – who is facing an investigation by an anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh. Ms Siddiq is reportedly named as part of the case.

Ms Siddiq was 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 and which she denies, and there are reports that she lived in properties in London linked to allies of her aunt.

The Sunday Times reported she had lived in a flat in the north London area of Hampstead, which had been given to her teenage sister by lawyer Moin Ghani, who had represented the Hasina administration.

The Financial Times also said she had used an apartment in King’s Cross which was given to her by Abdul Motalif, another associate of members of the Awami League party in Bangladesh.

What has Tulip Siddiq said?

Ms Siddiq referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, on 6 January.

In the letter to Sir Laurie, asking for an investigation to be opened, she said: “In recent weeks I have been the subject of media reporting, much of it inaccurate, about my financial affairs and my family’s links to the former government of Bangladesh.

“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.”

What has Keir Starmer said about the Tulip Siddiq scandal?

On the same day as Ms Siddiq’s letter, Sir Keir told a press conference Ms Siddiq had “acted entirely properly” in referring herself to Sir Laurie, and that he had “confidence in her”.

And cabinet minister Peter Kyle said the prime minister will act on the findings of the independent investigation into Ms Siddiq.

The science secretary told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on 13 January: “I think she’s done exactly the right thing, she’s referred herself, that inquiry needs to go through.”

He added: “I think the right way to go through this is to allow the authorities to investigate, we have given more powers to those authorities to do independent investigations, and you know full well when it comes to Keir Starmer he will listen to what the authorities say.”

But the Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called for Sir Keir to sack Ms Siddiq.

She said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq. He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.”

This comes after Bangladeshi leader Muhammad Yunus told the Sunday Times that London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated and handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.

He also called on her to resign, saying: “She becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Maybe you didn’t realise it, but now you realise it.

“You say: ‘Sorry, I didn’t know it (at) that time, I seek forgiveness from the people that I did this and I resign.’ She’s not saying that. She’s defending herself.”

(Image credit: Jonathan Hordle/Shutterstock)