UK’s Starmer says he has confidence in minister named in Bangladesh probe

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LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he had confidence in City Minister Tulip Siddiq, who is facing pressure to resign after being named in a financial corruption investigation in Bangladesh.

Starmer appointed Siddiq to the role following the Labour Party’s election victory in July, handing her responsibility for financial services policy and engaging with the industry, known colloquially as the “City”.

Siddiq’s aunt is Sheikh Hasina, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh who is being investigated by its anti-corruption authorities over allegations of corruption, embezzlement and money laundering.

That inquiry has alleged that there were financial irregularities worth about $5 billion involving Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed and niece Siddiq. Wazed, speaking on behalf of the family, has previously described the allegations as bogus.

Siddiq did not immediately respond to an email from Reuters seeking comment.

Starmer was asked in a press conference whether Siddiq should “come clean” following media reports about her use of homes in Britain linked to Hasina’s government.

“Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she has now done,” Starmer said. “I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”

Starmer was referring to the government’s ethics adviser Laurie Magnus, whose brief is to ensure that ministers uphold their code of conduct.

Magnus has the power to investigate alleged breaches of the ministerial code of conduct and directly advise the prime minister.

Labour published a new ministerial code in November, seeking to improve transparency after a row over lawmakers accepting gifts such as clothes and Taylor Swift concert tickets.

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; editing by Catarina Demony and Mark Heinrich)