Sheikh Hasina's niece, Labour Minister Tulip Siddiq, named in UK Bangladesh corruption probe

A senior Labour minister in the UK has been implicated in a corruption investigation involving allegations that her family embezzled £3.9 billion (Tk 590 billion) from infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.

Tulip Siddiq, 42, who serves as Economic Secretary to the Treasury and oversees anti-corruption efforts in UK financial markets, is accused of brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant that allegedly inflated the project’s cost by £1 billion, BBC reported.

Siddiq denies the allegations.

The claims form part of an investigation by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted as Bangladesh’s prime minister in August after more than 20 years in power. Hasina is also accused of multiple crimes, including “crimes against humanity” during her tenure.

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Siddiq has not been contacted by the ACC, according to the BBC. A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Siddiq has recused herself from any decisions related to Bangladesh but continues in her ministerial role. Starmer expressed full confidence in her.

The ACC investigation extends to other members of Hasina’s family, including Siddiq’s mother, Sheikh Rehana Siddiq, and several senior officials from Hasina’s government. Arrest warrants have been issued for 45 individuals, including former Bangladeshi ministers, accused of embezzlement and other crimes.

Citing court documents, BBC reported that it appeared that Siddiq facilitated meetings between Bangladeshi officials and the Russian government. The £10 billion nuclear project’s inflated costs allegedly diverted funds through offshore accounts, with 30 per cent of the excess funds distributed to Siddiq and her family, according to the documents.

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Footage from 2013 shows Siddiq attending the Kremlin signing ceremony for the project, where Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin were present.

The ACC’s investigation follows a pattern of allegations against Bangladeshi leaders after regime changes. Hasina’s predecessor, Khaleda Zia, and former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad faced similar charges, which they claimed were politically driven.

Siddiq, elected as MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 2015, has denied any involvement in the alleged corruption. Syed Faruk, leader of the UK branch of Hasina’s Awami League party, dismissed the claims as fabricated.